diff --git a/apps/client/src/common/api/apiUtils.ts b/apps/client/src/common/api/apiUtils.ts
index 1c15707fc..4042761bb 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/common/api/apiUtils.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/common/api/apiUtils.ts
@@ -2,18 +2,33 @@ import axios, { AxiosError } from 'axios';
 import { LogLevel } from 'ontime-types';
 import { generateId, millisToString } from 'ontime-utils';
 
+import { ontimeQueryClient } from '../queryClient';
 import { addLog } from '../stores/logger';
 import { nowInMillis } from '../utils/time';
 
-export function logAxiosError(prepend: string, error: unknown) {
-  let message;
+export function maybeAxiosError(error: unknown) {
   if (axios.isAxiosError(error)) {
     const statusText = (error as AxiosError).response?.statusText ?? '';
-    const data = (error as AxiosError).response?.data ?? '';
-    message = `${prepend} ${statusText}: ${data}`;
+    let data = (error as AxiosError).response?.data ?? '';
+    if (typeof data === 'object') {
+      // TODO: use error instead, when migrated
+      if ('message' in data) {
+        data = JSON.stringify(data.message);
+      } else {
+        data = JSON.stringify(data);
+      }
+    }
+    return `${statusText}: ${data}`;
   } else {
-    message = `${prepend}: ${error}`;
+    if (typeof error !== 'string') {
+      return JSON.stringify(error);
+    }
+    return error;
   }
+}
+
+export function logAxiosError(prepend: string, error: unknown) {
+  const message = `${prepend}: ${maybeAxiosError(error)}`;
 
   addLog({
     id: generateId(),
@@ -23,3 +38,17 @@ export function logAxiosError(prepend: string, error: unknown) {
     text: message,
   });
 }
+
+/**
+ * Utility function invalidates react-query caches
+ */
+export async function invalidateAllCaches() {
+  await ontimeQueryClient.invalidateQueries(['project']);
+  await ontimeQueryClient.invalidateQueries(['aliases']);
+  await ontimeQueryClient.invalidateQueries(['userFields']);
+  await ontimeQueryClient.invalidateQueries(['rundown']);
+  await ontimeQueryClient.invalidateQueries(['appinfo']);
+  await ontimeQueryClient.invalidateQueries(['oscSettings']);
+  await ontimeQueryClient.invalidateQueries(['appSettings']);
+  await ontimeQueryClient.invalidateQueries(['viewSettings']);
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/common/api/ontimeApi.ts b/apps/client/src/common/api/ontimeApi.ts
index 593f7d35d..1cb33ea23 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/common/api/ontimeApi.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/common/api/ontimeApi.ts
@@ -1,5 +1,16 @@
-import axios from 'axios';
-import { Alias, OSCSettings, OscSubscription, ProjectData, Settings, UserFields, ViewSettings } from 'ontime-types';
+import axios, { AxiosResponse } from 'axios';
+import {
+  Alias,
+  DatabaseModel,
+  OntimeRundown,
+  OSCSettings,
+  OscSubscription,
+  ProjectData,
+  Settings,
+  UserFields,
+  ViewSettings,
+} from 'ontime-types';
+import { ExcelImportMap } from 'ontime-utils';
 
 import { apiRepoLatest } from '../../externals';
 import { InfoType } from '../models/Info';
@@ -123,17 +134,25 @@ export const downloadRundown = () => {
   return fileDownload(ontimeURL, { name: 'rundown', type: 'json' }, { type: 'application/json;charset=utf-8;' });
 };
 
+// TODO: should this be extracted to shared code?
+export type ProjectFileImportOptions = {
+  onlyRundown: boolean;
+};
+
 /**
  * @description HTTP request to upload events db
  * @return {Promise}
  */
-type UploadDataOptions = {
-  onlyRundown?: boolean;
-};
-export const uploadData = async (file: File, setProgress: (value: number) => void, options?: UploadDataOptions) => {
+export const uploadProjectFile = async (
+  file: File,
+  setProgress: (value: number) => void,
+  options?: Partial<ProjectFileImportOptions>,
+) => {
   const formData = new FormData();
   formData.append('userFile', file);
-  const onlyRundown = options?.onlyRundown || 'false';
+
+  const onlyRundown = Boolean(options?.onlyRundown);
+
   await axios
     .post(`${ontimeURL}/db?onlyRundown=${onlyRundown}`, formData, {
       headers: {
@@ -147,6 +166,47 @@ export const uploadData = async (file: File, setProgress: (value: number) => voi
     .then((response) => response.data.id);
 };
 
+/**
+ * @description Make patch changes to the objects in the db
+ * @return {Promise}
+ */
+export async function patchData(patchDb: Partial<DatabaseModel>) {
+  const response = await axios.patch(`${ontimeURL}/db`, patchDb);
+  return response;
+}
+
+type PostPreviewExcelResponse = {
+  rundown: OntimeRundown;
+  project: ProjectData;
+  userFields: UserFields;
+};
+
+/**
+ * @description Make patch changes to the objects in the db
+ * @return {Promise} - returns parsed rundown and userfields
+ */
+export async function postPreviewExcel(file: File, setProgress: (value: number) => void, options?: ExcelImportMap) {
+  const formData = new FormData();
+  formData.append('userFile', file);
+  formData.append('options', JSON.stringify(options));
+
+  const response: AxiosResponse<PostPreviewExcelResponse> = await axios.post(
+    `${ontimeURL}/preview-spreadsheet`,
+    formData,
+    {
+      headers: {
+        'Content-Type': 'multipart/form-data',
+      },
+      onUploadProgress: (progressEvent) => {
+        const complete = progressEvent?.total ? Math.round((progressEvent.loaded * 100) / progressEvent.total) : 0;
+        setProgress(complete);
+      },
+    },
+  );
+
+  return response;
+}
+
 export type HasUpdate = {
   url: string;
   version: string;
diff --git a/apps/client/src/common/components/input/colour-input/SwatchSelect.tsx b/apps/client/src/common/components/input/colour-input/SwatchSelect.tsx
index bbafefec5..fd81d7aca 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/common/components/input/colour-input/SwatchSelect.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/common/components/input/colour-input/SwatchSelect.tsx
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 import { useCallback } from 'react';
 
-import { TitleActions } from '../../../../features/event-editor/composite/EventEditorDataLeft';
+import { EditorUpdateFields } from '../../../../features/event-editor/EventEditor';
 
 import Swatch from './Swatch';
 
@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@ import style from './SwatchSelect.module.scss';
 
 interface ColourInputProps {
   value: string;
-  name: TitleActions;
-  handleChange: (newValue: TitleActions, name: string) => void;
+  name: EditorUpdateFields;
+  handleChange: (newValue: EditorUpdateFields, name: string) => void;
 }
 
 const colours = [
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/AliasWrapper.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/AliasWrapper.tsx
index f6808edab..9f0422ea4 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/AliasWrapper.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/AliasWrapper.tsx
@@ -22,7 +22,7 @@ const withAlias = <P extends object>(Component: ComponentType<P>) => {
       }
     }, [data, searchParams, navigate, location]);
 
-    return <Component {...props} />;
+    return <Component {...(props as P)} />;
   };
 };
 
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/event-editor/composite/CountedTextArea.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/event-editor/composite/CountedTextArea.tsx
index 225e1e65a..10de23bdf 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/event-editor/composite/CountedTextArea.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/event-editor/composite/CountedTextArea.tsx
@@ -2,16 +2,15 @@ import { useCallback } from 'react';
 import { Textarea } from '@chakra-ui/react';
 
 import useReactiveTextInput from '../../../common/components/input/text-input/useReactiveTextInput';
-
-import { TitleActions } from './EventEditorDataLeft';
+import { EditorUpdateFields } from '../EventEditor';
 
 import style from '../EventEditor.module.scss';
 
 interface CountedTextAreaProps {
-  field: TitleActions;
+  field: EditorUpdateFields;
   label: string;
   initialValue: string;
-  submitHandler: (field: TitleActions, value: string) => void;
+  submitHandler: (field: EditorUpdateFields, value: string) => void;
 }
 
 export default function CountedTextArea(props: CountedTextAreaProps) {
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/Modal.module.scss b/apps/client/src/features/modals/Modal.module.scss
index 10a97436b..a5b8ea1a0 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/modals/Modal.module.scss
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/Modal.module.scss
@@ -41,8 +41,8 @@ $el-padding-with-compensation: 24px; // 16 + 8
 .title {
   font-size: $inner-section-text-size;
   color: $gray-500;
-  padding-left: 8px;
-  margin: 8px 0;
+  padding-left: 0.5rem;
+  margin: 0.5rem 0;
   text-transform: uppercase;
 }
 
@@ -107,6 +107,16 @@ $el-padding-with-compensation: 24px; // 16 + 8
   color: $error-red;
 }
 
+.success {
+  @include subsection;
+  color: $action-blue;
+}
+
+.feedbackSection {
+  justify-content: flex-start;
+
+}
+
 .buttonSection {
   margin-top: $section-spacing;
   display: flex;
@@ -117,6 +127,10 @@ $el-padding-with-compensation: 24px; // 16 + 8
   flex-grow: 1;
 }
 
+.vSpacer {
+  height: 2rem;
+}
+
 .shiftRight {
   align-self: flex-end;
 }
@@ -135,6 +149,12 @@ $el-padding-with-compensation: 24px; // 16 + 8
   grid-template-columns: auto 1fr;
 }
 
+.twoEqualColumn {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr;
+  gap: 1rem;
+}
+
 .padBottom {
   padding-bottom: $element-spacing;
 }
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadFile.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadFile.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..3497d3fbe
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadFile.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,66 @@
+import { ChangeEvent, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { Input } from '@chakra-ui/react';
+
+import UploadEntry from './upload-entry/UploadEntry';
+import { useUploadModalContextStore } from './uploadModalContext';
+import { validateFile } from './uploadUtils';
+
+import style from './UploadModal.module.scss';
+
+export default function UploadFile() {
+  const fileInputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
+
+  const { file, setFile, progress } = useUploadModalContextStore();
+
+  const [errors, setErrors] = useState<string>('');
+
+  const clearFile = () => {
+    setFile(null);
+    setErrors('');
+  };
+
+  const handleFile = (event: ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
+    setErrors('');
+
+    const selectedFile = event?.target?.files?.[0];
+    if (!selectedFile) {
+      setFile(null);
+      return;
+    }
+
+    try {
+      validateFile(selectedFile);
+      setFile(selectedFile);
+    } catch (error) {
+      if (error instanceof Error) {
+        setErrors(error.message);
+      } else {
+        setErrors('An unexpected error occurred while validating the file.');
+      }
+      setFile(null);
+    }
+  };
+
+  const handleClick = () => {
+    fileInputRef.current?.click();
+  };
+
+  return (
+    <>
+      <Input
+        ref={fileInputRef}
+        style={{ display: 'none' }}
+        type='file'
+        onChange={handleFile}
+        accept='.json, .xlsx'
+        data-testid='file-input'
+      />
+      {!file && (
+        <div className={style.uploadArea} onClick={handleClick} role='button'>
+          Click to select Ontime project or xlsx rundown
+        </div>
+      )}
+      {(file || errors) && <UploadEntry file={file} errors={errors} progress={progress} handleClear={clearFile} />}
+    </>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadModal.module.scss b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadModal.module.scss
index fdd7d5778..c35c1a31d 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadModal.module.scss
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadModal.module.scss
@@ -5,79 +5,31 @@
 .uploadBody {
   display: flex;
   flex-direction: column;
-  gap: 16px;
+  gap: 1rem;
 }
 
 .uploadArea {
+  margin: 0 auto;
   width: 100%;
-  min-height: 200px;
-  border: 2px dashed $gray-50;
+  max-width: 550px;
+
+  min-height: 150px;
+  border: 2px dashed $gray-200;
   border-radius: 3px;
   display: grid;
   place-content: center;
   transition-property: background-color;
   transition-duration: $transition-time-action;
+  font-size: calc(1rem - 1px);
 
   &:hover {
     border: 2px solid $blue-500;
     background-color: $blue-50;
     cursor: pointer;
   }
+
   &.comment {
-    color: gray;
-  }
-}
-
-.uploadedItem {
-  background-color: $gray-50;
-  padding: 8px;
-  display: grid;
-  grid-template-areas:
-          "icon     title     close"
-          "icon     info      ."
-          "progress progress  progress";
-  grid-template-columns: auto 1fr auto;
-  column-gap: 16px;
-  border-radius: 3px;
-
-  .icon {
-    align-self: center;
-    grid-area: icon;
-    font-size: 32px;
-    color: $gray-700;
-  }
-
-  .fileTitle {
-    grid-area: title;
-    font-size: 14px;
-    color: $gray-1350;
-  }
-
-  .fileInfo {
-    grid-area: info;
-    font-size: 12px;
-    color: $gray-1100;
-  }
-
-  .fileProgress {
-    grid-area: progress;
-  }
-
-  .cancelUpload {
-    grid-area: close;
-    cursor: pointer;
-  }
-
-  &.error {
-    .icon {
-      color: $error-red;
-    }
-  }
-
-  &.success {
-    .icon {
-      color: $green-500;
-    }
+    color: $modal-note-color;
   }
 }
 
@@ -89,3 +41,9 @@
 .pad {
   margin: 8px;
 }
+
+.twoColumn {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr);
+  gap: 1rem;
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadModal.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadModal.tsx
index c328551f5..b8ee198d6 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadModal.tsx
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/UploadModal.tsx
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
-import { ChangeEvent, useCallback, useRef, useState } from 'react';
+import { useEffect, useRef, useState } from 'react';
 import {
   Button,
-  Input,
   Modal,
   ModalBody,
   ModalCloseButton,
@@ -9,23 +8,34 @@ import {
   ModalFooter,
   ModalHeader,
   ModalOverlay,
-  Progress,
-  Switch,
 } from '@chakra-ui/react';
-import { IoClose } from '@react-icons/all-files/io5/IoClose';
-import { IoDocumentTextOutline } from '@react-icons/all-files/io5/IoDocumentTextOutline';
-import { IoWarningOutline } from '@react-icons/all-files/io5/IoWarningOutline';
 import { useQueryClient } from '@tanstack/react-query';
+import { OntimeRundown, ProjectData, UserFields } from 'ontime-types';
+import { defaultExcelImportMap, ExcelImportMap } from 'ontime-utils';
 
-import { RUNDOWN_TABLE } from '../../../common/api/apiConstants';
-import { uploadData } from '../../../common/api/ontimeApi';
-import { useEmitLog } from '../../../common/stores/logger';
-import ModalSplitInput from '../ModalSplitInput';
+import { PROJECT_DATA, RUNDOWN_TABLE, USERFIELDS } from '../../../common/api/apiConstants';
+import { invalidateAllCaches, maybeAxiosError } from '../../../common/api/apiUtils';
+import {
+  patchData,
+  postPreviewExcel,
+  ProjectFileImportOptions,
+  uploadProjectFile,
+} from '../../../common/api/ontimeApi';
+import { projectDataPlaceholder } from '../../../common/models/ProjectData';
+import { userFieldsPlaceholder } from '../../../common/models/UserFields';
 
-import { validateFile } from './utils';
+import PreviewExcel from './preview/PreviewExcel';
+import ExcelFileOptions from './upload-options/ExcelFileOptions';
+import OntimeFileOptions from './upload-options/OntimeFileOptions';
+import UploadStepTracker from './upload-step/UploadStep';
+import UploadFile from './UploadFile';
+import { useUploadModalContextStore } from './uploadModalContext';
+import { getPersistedOptions, isExcelFile, isOntimeFile, persistOptions } from './uploadUtils';
 
 import style from './UploadModal.module.scss';
 
+export type UploadStep = 'import' | 'review';
+
 interface UploadModalProps {
   onClose: () => void;
   isOpen: boolean;
@@ -33,64 +43,152 @@ interface UploadModalProps {
 
 export default function UploadModal({ onClose, isOpen }: UploadModalProps) {
   const queryClient = useQueryClient();
-  const { emitError } = useEmitLog();
-  const [errors, setErrors] = useState<string | undefined>();
-  const [isSubmitting, setSubmitting] = useState(false);
-  const [file, setFile] = useState<File | null>(null);
-  const [progress, setProgress] = useState(0);
-  const overrideOptionRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
-  const fileInputRef = useRef<HTMLInputElement>(null);
-  const [success, setSuccess] = useState(false);
 
-  const handleFile = useCallback((event: ChangeEvent<HTMLInputElement>) => {
-    const fileUploaded = event?.target?.files?.[0];
-    if (!fileUploaded) return;
+  const { file, setProgress, clear } = useUploadModalContextStore();
 
-    const validate = validateFile(fileUploaded);
-    setErrors(validate.errors?.[0]);
+  const [uploadStep, setUploadStep] = useState<UploadStep>('import');
+  const [submitting, setSubmitting] = useState(false);
+  const [rundown, setRundown] = useState<OntimeRundown | null>(null);
+  const [userFields, setUserFields] = useState<UserFields | null>(null);
+  const [project, setProject] = useState<ProjectData | null>(null);
 
-    if (validate.isValid) {
-      setFile(fileUploaded);
-    } else {
-      setFile(null);
+  const [errors, setErrors] = useState('');
+
+  const ontimeFileOptions = useRef<Partial<ProjectFileImportOptions>>({});
+  const excelFileOptions = useRef<ExcelImportMap>(defaultExcelImportMap);
+
+  const updateOntimeFileOptions = <T extends keyof ProjectFileImportOptions>(
+    field: T,
+    value: ProjectFileImportOptions[T],
+  ) => {
+    ontimeFileOptions.current = { ...ontimeFileOptions.current, [field]: value };
+  };
+
+  const updateExcelFileOptions = <T extends keyof ExcelImportMap>(field: T, value: ExcelImportMap[T]) => {
+    if (excelFileOptions.current[field] !== value) {
+      excelFileOptions.current = { ...excelFileOptions.current, [field]: value };
+    }
+  };
+
+  // We want to populate the options with any previous options given by the user
+  useEffect(() => {
+    const excelOptions = getPersistedOptions('excel');
+    if (excelOptions) {
+      excelFileOptions.current = excelOptions;
     }
   }, []);
 
-  const handleSubmit = useCallback(async () => {
-    setSubmitting(true);
+  // if the modal re-opens, we want to restart all states
+  useEffect(() => {
+    clear();
+    setUploadStep('import');
+    setSubmitting(false);
+    setRundown(null);
+    setUserFields(null);
+    setProject(null);
+    setErrors('');
+  }, [clear, isOpen]);
+
+  /* uploads file to backend
+   * - in the case of excel, we get the preview
+   * - in the case of project file, this is end of line
+   **/
+  const handleUpload = async () => {
+    let doClose = false;
     if (file) {
+      setSubmitting(true);
+      setErrors('');
       try {
-        const options = {
-          onlyRundown: overrideOptionRef.current?.checked || false,
-        };
-        await uploadData(file, setProgress, options);
+        if (isOntimeFile(file)) {
+          // TODO: we would also like to have preview for ontime project files
+          const options = ontimeFileOptions.current;
+          await handleOntimeFile(file, options);
+          await invalidateAllCaches();
+          doClose = true;
+        } else if (isExcelFile(file)) {
+          const options = excelFileOptions.current;
+          persistOptions({ optionType: 'excel', options });
+          await handleExcelFile(file, options);
+        }
       } catch (error) {
-        emitError(`Failed uploading file: ${error}`);
+        const message = maybeAxiosError(error);
+        setErrors(`Failed uploading file ${message}`);
       } finally {
-        await queryClient.invalidateQueries(RUNDOWN_TABLE);
-        setSuccess(true);
+        setSubmitting(false);
+        if (doClose) {
+          handleClose();
+        }
       }
     }
-    setSubmitting(false);
-  }, [emitError, file, queryClient]);
 
-  const handleClick = () => {
-    fileInputRef.current?.click();
-  };
-
-  const clearFile = () => {
-    setFile(null);
+    // when we upload excel, we populate state with preview data
+    async function handleExcelFile(file: File, options: ExcelImportMap) {
+      const response = await postPreviewExcel(file, setProgress, options);
+      if (response.status === 200) {
+        setRundown(response.data.rundown);
+        setUserFields(response.data.userFields);
+        setProject(response.data.project);
+        // in excel imports we have an extra review step
+        setUploadStep('review');
+      }
+    }
+
+    // when we upload project files, no extra operations are done
+    async function handleOntimeFile(file: File, options: Partial<ProjectFileImportOptions>) {
+      await uploadProjectFile(file, setProgress, options);
+    }
   };
 
+  // before closing the modal, we clear data from mutations
   const handleClose = () => {
-    clearFile();
-    setSuccess(false);
-    setErrors(undefined);
-    setProgress(0);
+    clear();
+    setRundown([]);
+    setUserFields(userFieldsPlaceholder);
+    setProject(projectDataPlaceholder);
     onClose();
   };
 
-  const disableSubmit = !file || isSubmitting;
+  const handleFinalise = async () => {
+    // this step is currently only used for excel files, after preview
+    if (isExcel && rundown && userFields && project) {
+      let doClose = false;
+      setSubmitting(true);
+      try {
+        await patchData({ rundown, userFields, project });
+        queryClient.setQueryData(RUNDOWN_TABLE, rundown);
+        queryClient.setQueryData(USERFIELDS, userFields);
+        queryClient.setQueryData(PROJECT_DATA, project);
+        await queryClient.invalidateQueries({
+          queryKey: [...RUNDOWN_TABLE, ...USERFIELDS, ...PROJECT_DATA],
+        });
+        doClose = true;
+      } catch (error) {
+        const message = maybeAxiosError(error);
+        setErrors(`Failed applying changes ${message}`);
+      } finally {
+        setSubmitting(false);
+        if (doClose) {
+          handleClose();
+        }
+      }
+    }
+  };
+
+  const undoReview = () => {
+    setUploadStep('import');
+    setErrors('');
+  };
+
+  const isImporting = uploadStep === 'import';
+  const isReview = uploadStep === 'review';
+  const isExcel = isExcelFile(file);
+  const isOntime = isOntimeFile(file);
+
+  const handleGoBack = isImporting ? undefined : undoReview;
+  const handleSubmit = isImporting ? handleUpload : handleFinalise;
+  const disableSubmit = (isImporting && !file) || (isReview && rundown === null);
+  const disableGoBack = isImporting;
+  const submitText = isImporting ? 'Import' : 'Finish';
 
   return (
     <Modal
@@ -101,66 +199,50 @@ export default function UploadModal({ onClose, isOpen }: UploadModalProps) {
       size='xl'
       scrollBehavior='inside'
       preserveScrollBarGap
-      variant='ontime-small'
+      variant='ontime-upload'
     >
       <ModalOverlay />
       <ModalContent>
         <ModalHeader>File import</ModalHeader>
         <ModalCloseButton />
         <ModalBody className={style.uploadBody}>
-          <Input
-            ref={fileInputRef}
-            style={{ display: 'none' }}
-            type='file'
-            onChange={handleFile}
-            accept='.json, .xlsx'
-            data-testid='file-input'
-          />
-          <div className={style.uploadArea} onClick={handleClick}>
-            Click to upload Ontime project file
-          </div>
-          {file && (
-            <div className={`${style.uploadedItem} ${success ? style.success : ''}`}>
-              <IoClose className={style.cancelUpload} onClick={clearFile} />
-              <IoDocumentTextOutline className={style.icon} />
-              <span className={style.fileTitle}>{file.name}</span>
-              <span className={style.fileInfo}>{`${(file.size / 1024).toFixed(2)}kb - ${file.type}`}</span>
-              <Progress variant='ontime-on-light' className={style.fileProgress} value={progress} />
-            </div>
+          {isExcel && <UploadStepTracker uploadStep={uploadStep} />}
+          {uploadStep === 'import' ? (
+            <>
+              <UploadFile />
+              {isOntime && <OntimeFileOptions optionsRef={ontimeFileOptions} updateOptions={updateOntimeFileOptions} />}
+              {isExcel && <ExcelFileOptions optionsRef={excelFileOptions} updateOptions={updateExcelFileOptions} />}
+            </>
+          ) : (
+            <PreviewExcel
+              rundown={rundown ?? []}
+              project={project ?? projectDataPlaceholder}
+              userFields={userFields ?? userFieldsPlaceholder}
+            />
           )}
-          {errors && (
-            <div className={`${style.uploadedItem} ${style.error}`}>
-              <IoWarningOutline className={style.icon} />
-              <span className={style.fileTitle}>{errors}</span>
-              <span className={style.fileInfo}>Please try again</span>
-              <Progress className={style.fileProgress} value={progress} />
-            </div>
-          )}
-          <div className={style.uploadOptions}>
-            <span className={style.title}>Import options</span>
-            <ModalSplitInput
-              field=''
-              title='Only import rundown'
-              description='All other options, including application settings will be discarded'
-            >
-              <Switch variant='ontime-on-light' ref={overrideOptionRef} />
-            </ModalSplitInput>
-          </div>
         </ModalBody>
-        <ModalFooter className={`${style.buttonSection} ${style.pad}`}>
-          <Button onClick={handleClose} isDisabled={isSubmitting} variant='ontime-ghost-on-light' size='sm'>
-            Cancel
-          </Button>
-          <Button
-            onClick={handleSubmit}
-            isLoading={isSubmitting}
-            isDisabled={disableSubmit}
-            variant='ontime-filled'
-            padding='0 2em'
-            size='sm'
-          >
-            Import
-          </Button>
+        <ModalFooter>
+          <div className={style.feedbackSection}>{errors && <div className={style.error}>{errors}</div>}</div>
+          <div className={`${style.buttonSection} ${style.pad}`}>
+            <Button
+              onClick={handleGoBack}
+              isDisabled={disableGoBack || submitting}
+              variant='ontime-ghost-on-light'
+              size='sm'
+            >
+              Go Back
+            </Button>
+            <Button
+              onClick={handleSubmit}
+              isLoading={submitting}
+              isDisabled={disableSubmit}
+              variant='ontime-filled'
+              padding='0 2em'
+              size='sm'
+            >
+              {submitText}
+            </Button>
+          </div>
         </ModalFooter>
       </ModalContent>
     </Modal>
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewColumn.module.scss b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewColumn.module.scss
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..72a783ee4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewColumn.module.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+@use "../../../../theme/_ontimeColours" as *;
+
+@mixin pad-item {
+  padding-left: 0.5rem;
+  padding-right: 1rem;
+}
+
+.previewTable {
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-columns: auto 1fr;
+  grid-template-rows: repeat(6, auto);
+  font-size: calc(1rem - 2px);
+}
+
+.field {
+  font-weight: 200;
+  @include pad-item;
+}
+
+.value {
+  @include pad-item;
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/common/utils/entryValidator.ts b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewColumn.tsx
similarity index 100%
rename from apps/client/src/common/utils/entryValidator.ts
rename to apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewColumn.tsx
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewExcel.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewExcel.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1e537e77a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewExcel.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+import { OntimeRundown, ProjectData, UserFields } from 'ontime-types';
+
+import PreviewProjectData from './PreviewProjectData';
+import PreviewRundown from './PreviewRundown';
+
+import style from '../../Modal.module.scss';
+
+interface PreviewExcelProps {
+  rundown: OntimeRundown;
+  project: ProjectData;
+  userFields: UserFields;
+}
+
+export default function PreviewExcel(props: PreviewExcelProps) {
+  const { rundown, project, userFields } = props;
+
+  return (
+    <div className={`${style.column}`}>
+      <div className={style.title}>Review Project Data</div>
+      <PreviewProjectData project={project} />
+      <div className={style.vSpacer} />
+      <div className={style.title}>Review Rundown</div>
+      <PreviewRundown rundown={rundown} userFields={userFields} />
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewProjectData.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewProjectData.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..46eb00d47
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewProjectData.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+import { ProjectData } from 'ontime-types';
+
+import style from './PreviewColumn.module.scss';
+
+interface PreviewProjectDataProps {
+  project: ProjectData;
+}
+
+export default function PreviewProjectData({ project }: PreviewProjectDataProps) {
+  return (
+    <div className={style.previewTable}>
+      <span className={style.field}>Title</span>
+      <span className={style.value}>{project.title}</span>
+      <span className={style.field}>Description</span>
+      <span className={style.value}>{project.description}</span>
+      <span className={style.field}>Public URL</span>
+      <span className={style.value}>{project.publicUrl}</span>
+      <span className={style.field}>Public info</span>
+      <span className={style.value}>{project.publicInfo}</span>
+      <span className={style.field}>Backstage URL</span>
+      <span className={style.value}>{project.backstageUrl}</span>
+      <span className={style.field}>Backstage info</span>
+      <span className={style.value}>{project.backstageInfo}</span>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewRundown.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewRundown.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..12f962243
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewRundown.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,131 @@
+import { Fragment } from 'react';
+import { isOntimeEvent, OntimeRundown, UserFields } from 'ontime-types';
+import { millisToString } from 'ontime-utils';
+
+import { getAccessibleColour } from '../../../../common/utils/styleUtils';
+
+import Tag from './Tag';
+
+import style from './PreviewTable.module.scss';
+
+interface PreviewRundownProps {
+  rundown: OntimeRundown;
+  userFields: UserFields;
+}
+
+function booleanToText(value?: boolean) {
+  return value ? 'Yes' : undefined;
+}
+
+export default function PreviewRundown({ rundown, userFields }: PreviewRundownProps) {
+  return (
+    <div className={style.container}>
+      <table className={style.rundownPreview}>
+        <thead className={style.header}>
+          <tr>
+            <th>#</th>
+            <th>Type</th>
+            <th>Cue</th>
+            <th>Title</th>
+            <th>Subtitle</th>
+            <th>Presenter</th>
+            <th>Time Start</th>
+            <th>Time End</th>
+            <th>Duration</th>
+            <th>Is Public</th>
+            <th>Skip</th>
+            <th>Colour</th>
+            <th>Timer Type</th>
+            <th>End Action</th>
+            <th>
+              user0 <Tag>{userFields.user0}</Tag>
+            </th>
+            <th>
+              user1 <Tag>{userFields.user1}</Tag>
+            </th>
+            <th>
+              user2 <Tag>{userFields.user2}</Tag>
+            </th>
+            <th>
+              user3 <Tag>{userFields.user3}</Tag>
+            </th>
+            <th>
+              user4 <Tag>{userFields.user4}</Tag>
+            </th>
+            <th>
+              user5 <Tag>{userFields.user5}</Tag>
+            </th>
+            <th>
+              user6 <Tag>{userFields.user6}</Tag>
+            </th>
+            <th>
+              user7 <Tag>{userFields.user7}</Tag>
+            </th>
+            <th>
+              user8 <Tag>{userFields.user8}</Tag>
+            </th>
+            <th>
+              user9 <Tag>{userFields.user9}</Tag>
+            </th>
+          </tr>
+        </thead>
+        <tbody className={style.body}>
+          {rundown.map((event, index) => {
+            if (!isOntimeEvent(event)) {
+              return null;
+            }
+            const key = event.id;
+            const colour = event.colour ? getAccessibleColour(event.colour) : {};
+            const isPublic = booleanToText(event.isPublic);
+            const skip = booleanToText(event.skip);
+            return (
+              <Fragment key={key}>
+                <tr>
+                  <td className={style.center}>
+                    <Tag>{index + 1}</Tag>
+                  </td>
+                  <td className={style.center}>
+                    <Tag>Event</Tag>
+                  </td>
+                  <td className={style.nowrap}>{event.cue}</td>
+                  <td>{event.title}</td>
+                  <td>{event.subtitle}</td>
+                  <td>{event.presenter}</td>
+                  <td>{millisToString(event.timeStart)}</td>
+                  <td>{millisToString(event.timeEnd)}</td>
+                  <td>{millisToString(event.duration)}</td>
+                  <td className={style.center}>{isPublic && <Tag>{isPublic}</Tag>}</td>
+                  <td>{skip && <Tag>{skip}</Tag>}</td>
+                  <td style={{ ...colour }}>{event.colour}</td>
+                  <td className={style.center}>
+                    <Tag>{event.timerType}</Tag>
+                  </td>
+                  <td className={style.center}>
+                    <Tag>{event.endAction}</Tag>
+                  </td>
+                  <td>{event.user0}</td>
+                  <td>{event.user1}</td>
+                  <td>{event.user2}</td>
+                  <td>{event.user3}</td>
+                  <td>{event.user4}</td>
+                  <td>{event.user5}</td>
+                  <td>{event.user6}</td>
+                  <td>{event.user7}</td>
+                  <td>{event.user8}</td>
+                  <td>{event.user9}</td>
+                </tr>
+                {event.note && (
+                  <tr>
+                    <td colSpan={99} className={style.secondaryRow}>
+                      Note: {event.note}
+                    </td>
+                  </tr>
+                )}
+              </Fragment>
+            );
+          })}
+        </tbody>
+      </table>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewTable.module.scss b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewTable.module.scss
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..008913718
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/PreviewTable.module.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,71 @@
+@use "../../../../theme/_ontimeColours" as *;
+
+.container {
+  max-width: 100%;
+  max-height: max(300px, 30vh);
+  overflow: scroll;
+}
+
+.rundownPreview {
+  font-size: calc(1rem - 2px);
+  overflow-x: scroll;
+}
+
+.header,
+.body {
+  th {
+    font-weight: 400;
+    height: unset;
+    line-height: calc(1rem - 2px);
+    white-space: nowrap;
+    padding-left: 0.25rem;
+    padding-right: 1rem;
+  }
+}
+
+.header {
+  position: sticky;
+  top: 0;
+  background-color: white;
+  box-shadow: 0 2px $gray-50;
+  z-index: 3;
+
+  th {
+    font-weight: 200;
+    text-align: left;
+  }
+
+  tr {
+    word-wrap: unset;
+  }
+}
+
+.body {
+  td {
+    text-align: left;
+    vertical-align: top;
+    padding: 0 0.5em;
+  }
+
+  .center {
+    text-align: center;
+  }
+
+  .nowrap {
+    white-space: nowrap;
+  }
+
+  .secondaryRow {
+    padding: 0.25em 0.25em;
+    background-color: $gray-50;
+  }
+}
+
+table tr td:first-child,
+table tr th:first-child {
+  position: sticky;
+  left: 0;
+  z-index: 2;
+  background-color: white;
+  box-shadow: 1px 0 $gray-50;
+}
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/Tag.module.scss b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/Tag.module.scss
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9ff41a348
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/Tag.module.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,11 @@
+@use "../../../../theme/_ontimeColours" as *;
+
+.tag {
+  font-size: calc(1rem - 3px);
+  letter-spacing: 0.5px;
+  background-color: $gray-100;
+  color: $ui-black;
+  border-radius: 2px;
+  padding: 0 0.25rem;
+  white-space: nowrap;
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/Tag.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/Tag.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..de1ce550c
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/preview/Tag.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+import { ReactNode } from 'react';
+
+import style from './Tag.module.scss';
+
+export default function Tag({ children }: { children: ReactNode }) {
+  return <span className={style.tag}>{children}</span>;
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-entry/UploadEntry.module.scss b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-entry/UploadEntry.module.scss
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..86efa6e68
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-entry/UploadEntry.module.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,53 @@
+@use '../../../../theme/ontimeColours' as *;
+@use '../../../../theme/v2Styles' as *;
+
+.uploadedItem {
+  margin: 0 auto;
+  width: 100%;
+  max-width: 550px;
+
+  border: 1px solid $gray-200;
+  padding: 0.5rem;
+  display: grid;
+  grid-template-areas:
+          "icon     title     close"
+          "icon     info      ."
+          "progress progress  progress";
+  grid-template-columns: auto 1fr auto;
+  column-gap: 1rem;
+  border-radius: 3px;
+
+  .icon {
+    align-self: center;
+    grid-area: icon;
+    font-size: 2rem;
+    color: $gray-700;
+  }
+
+  .fileTitle {
+    grid-area: title;
+    font-size: calc(1rem - 2px);
+    color: $ui-black;
+  }
+
+  .fileInfo {
+    grid-area: info;
+    font-size: calc(1rem - 4px);
+    color: $gray-1100;
+  }
+
+  .fileProgress {
+    grid-area: progress;
+  }
+
+  .cancelUpload {
+    grid-area: close;
+    cursor: pointer;
+  }
+
+  &.error {
+    .icon {
+      color: $error-red;
+    }
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-entry/UploadEntry.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-entry/UploadEntry.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..2c3545f75
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-entry/UploadEntry.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,52 @@
+import { Progress } from '@chakra-ui/react';
+import { IoClose } from '@react-icons/all-files/io5/IoClose';
+import { IoDocumentTextOutline } from '@react-icons/all-files/io5/IoDocumentTextOutline';
+import { IoWarningOutline } from '@react-icons/all-files/io5/IoWarningOutline';
+
+import { isExcelFile, isOntimeFile } from '../uploadUtils';
+
+import style from './UploadEntry.module.scss';
+
+interface UploadEntryProps {
+  file: File | null;
+  errors?: string;
+  progress: number;
+  handleClear: () => void;
+}
+
+export default function UploadEntry(props: UploadEntryProps) {
+  const { file, errors, progress, handleClear } = props;
+
+  if (errors) {
+    return (
+      <div className={`${style.uploadedItem} ${style.error}`}>
+        <IoClose className={style.cancelUpload} onClick={handleClear} />
+        <IoWarningOutline className={style.icon} />
+        <span className={style.fileTitle}>{errors}</span>
+        <span className={style.fileInfo}>Please try again</span>
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
+  if (file) {
+    const fileSize = `${(file.size / 1024).toFixed(2)}kb`;
+    let fileType = '';
+    if (isOntimeFile(file)) {
+      fileType = 'Ontime Project File';
+    } else if (isExcelFile(file)) {
+      fileType = 'Excel Rundown';
+    }
+
+    return (
+      <div className={style.uploadedItem}>
+        <IoClose className={style.cancelUpload} onClick={handleClear} />
+        <IoDocumentTextOutline className={style.icon} />
+        <span className={style.fileTitle}>{file.name}</span>
+        <span className={style.fileInfo}>{`${fileSize} - ${fileType}`}</span>
+        <Progress variant='ontime-on-light' className={style.fileProgress} value={progress} />
+      </div>
+    );
+  }
+
+  return null;
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/ExcelFileOptions.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/ExcelFileOptions.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..72b1c5837
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/ExcelFileOptions.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,70 @@
+import { MutableRefObject } from 'react';
+import { ExcelImportMap } from 'ontime-utils';
+
+import ImportMapTable, { type TableEntry } from './ImportMapTable';
+
+import style from '../UploadModal.module.scss';
+
+interface ExcelFileOptionsProps {
+  optionsRef: MutableRefObject<ExcelImportMap>;
+  updateOptions: <T extends keyof ExcelImportMap>(field: T, value: ExcelImportMap[T]) => void;
+}
+
+export default function ExcelFileOptions(props: ExcelFileOptionsProps) {
+  const { optionsRef, updateOptions } = props;
+
+  const worksheet: TableEntry[] = [{ label: 'Worksheet', title: 'worksheet', value: optionsRef.current.worksheet }];
+
+  const timings: TableEntry[] = [
+    { label: 'Start time', title: 'timeStart', value: optionsRef.current.timeStart },
+    { label: 'End Time', title: 'timeEnd', value: optionsRef.current.timeEnd },
+    { label: 'Duration', title: 'duration', value: optionsRef.current.duration },
+  ];
+
+  const titles: TableEntry[] = [
+    { label: 'Cue', title: 'cue', value: optionsRef.current.cue },
+    { label: 'Colour', title: 'colour', value: optionsRef.current.colour },
+    { label: 'Title', title: 'title', value: optionsRef.current.title },
+    { label: 'Presenter', title: 'presenter', value: optionsRef.current.presenter },
+    { label: 'Subtitle', title: 'subtitle', value: optionsRef.current.subtitle },
+    { label: 'Note', title: 'note', value: optionsRef.current.note },
+  ];
+
+  const options: TableEntry[] = [
+    { label: 'Is Public', title: 'isPublic', value: optionsRef.current.isPublic },
+    { label: 'Skip', title: 'skip', value: optionsRef.current.skip },
+    { label: 'Timer Type', title: 'timerType', value: optionsRef.current.timerType },
+    { label: 'End Action', title: 'endAction', value: optionsRef.current.endAction },
+  ];
+
+  const userFields: TableEntry[] = [
+    { label: 'User 0', title: 'user0', value: optionsRef.current.user0 },
+    { label: 'User 1', title: 'user1', value: optionsRef.current.user1 },
+    { label: 'User 2', title: 'user2', value: optionsRef.current.user2 },
+    { label: 'User 3', title: 'user3', value: optionsRef.current.user3 },
+    { label: 'User 4', title: 'user4', value: optionsRef.current.user4 },
+    { label: 'User 5', title: 'user5', value: optionsRef.current.user5 },
+    { label: 'User 6', title: 'user6', value: optionsRef.current.user6 },
+    { label: 'User 7', title: 'user7', value: optionsRef.current.user7 },
+    { label: 'User 8', title: 'user8', value: optionsRef.current.user8 },
+    { label: 'User 9', title: 'user9', value: optionsRef.current.user9 },
+  ];
+
+  return (
+    <div className={style.uploadOptions}>
+      <div className={style.twoEqualColumn}>
+        <ImportMapTable title='Sheet settings' fields={worksheet} handleOnChange={updateOptions} />
+      </div>
+
+      <div className={style.twoEqualColumn}>
+        <ImportMapTable title='Timings' fields={timings} handleOnChange={updateOptions} />
+        <ImportMapTable title='Options' fields={options} handleOnChange={updateOptions} />
+      </div>
+
+      <div className={style.twoEqualColumn}>
+        <ImportMapTable title='Titles' fields={titles} handleOnChange={updateOptions} />
+        <ImportMapTable title='User Fields' fields={userFields} handleOnChange={updateOptions} />
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/ImportMapTable.module.scss b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/ImportMapTable.module.scss
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..0eb49359e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/ImportMapTable.module.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,33 @@
+@use '../../../../theme/v2Styles' as *;
+@use '../../../../theme/ontimeColours' as *;
+
+.importTable {
+  margin: 0.5rem;
+  height: fit-content;
+
+  thead {
+    color: $gray-500;
+    text-transform: uppercase;
+    width: 10em;
+  }
+
+  tr:hover {
+    background-color: $gray-50;
+  }
+
+  tbody {
+    td {
+      max-width: fit-content;
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+.label {
+  display: inline-block;
+  min-width: 6em;
+  font-size: $inner-section-text-size;
+}
+
+.input {
+  width: 100%;
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/ImportMapTable.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/ImportMapTable.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1435d0875
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/ImportMapTable.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+import { Input } from '@chakra-ui/react';
+import { ExcelImportMap } from 'ontime-utils';
+
+import style from './ImportMapTable.module.scss';
+
+export type TableEntry = { label: string; title: keyof ExcelImportMap; value: string };
+
+interface ImportMapTableProps {
+  title: string;
+  fields: TableEntry[];
+  handleOnChange: (field: keyof ExcelImportMap, value: string) => void;
+}
+
+export default function ImportMapTable(props: ImportMapTableProps) {
+  const { title, fields, handleOnChange } = props;
+
+  return (
+    <table className={style.importTable}>
+      <thead>
+        <tr>
+          <td colSpan={2}>{title}</td>
+        </tr>
+      </thead>
+      <tbody>
+        {fields.map((field) => {
+          return (
+            <tr key={field.title}>
+              <td className={style.label}>
+                <label htmlFor={field.title}>{field.label}</label>
+              </td>
+              <td className={style.input}>
+                <Input
+                  id={field.title}
+                  size='xs'
+                  variant='ontime-filled-on-light'
+                  maxLength={25}
+                  defaultValue={field.value}
+                  placeholder='Use default column name'
+                  onBlur={(event) => {
+                    handleOnChange(field.title, event.target.value);
+                  }}
+                />
+              </td>
+            </tr>
+          );
+        })}
+      </tbody>
+    </table>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/OntimeFileOptions.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/OntimeFileOptions.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..812bfd2cc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-options/OntimeFileOptions.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+import { MutableRefObject } from 'react';
+import { Switch } from '@chakra-ui/react';
+
+import { ProjectFileImportOptions } from '../../../../common/api/ontimeApi';
+import ModalSplitInput from '../../ModalSplitInput';
+
+import style from '../UploadModal.module.scss';
+
+interface OntimeFileOptionsProps {
+  optionsRef: MutableRefObject<Partial<ProjectFileImportOptions>>;
+  updateOptions: <T extends keyof ProjectFileImportOptions>(field: T, value: ProjectFileImportOptions[T]) => void;
+}
+
+export default function OntimeFileOptions(props: OntimeFileOptionsProps) {
+  const { optionsRef, updateOptions } = props;
+
+  return (
+    <div className={style.uploadOptions}>
+      <span className={style.title}>Import options</span>
+      <ModalSplitInput field='' title='Only import rundown' description='All other project options will be kept'>
+        <Switch
+          variant='ontime-on-light'
+          onChange={(e) => {
+            updateOptions('onlyRundown', e.target.checked);
+          }}
+          defaultChecked={Boolean(optionsRef.current.onlyRundown)}
+        />
+      </ModalSplitInput>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-step/UploadStep.module.scss b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-step/UploadStep.module.scss
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f2f59fc0f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-step/UploadStep.module.scss
@@ -0,0 +1,40 @@
+@use '../../../../theme/ontimeColours' as *;
+
+@mixin row {
+  display: flex;
+  align-items: center;
+  gap: 0.25rem;
+  padding: 0 0.25rem;
+}
+
+.stepRow {
+  display: flex;
+  gap: 2rem;
+  align-items: center;
+  margin: 0 auto;
+  font-size: 1rem;
+}
+
+.idle {
+  @include row;
+  color: $blue-500;
+}
+
+.inactive {
+  @include row;
+  color: $gray-700;
+}
+
+.active {
+  @include row;
+  color: $blue-700;
+}
+
+
+.inactiveIcon {
+  color: $gray-700;
+}
+
+.activeIcon {
+  color: $blue-500;
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-step/UploadStep.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-step/UploadStep.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..f3c369dee
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/upload-step/UploadStep.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+import { IoCheckmarkCircle } from '@react-icons/all-files/io5/IoCheckmarkCircle';
+import { IoChevronForward } from '@react-icons/all-files/io5/IoChevronForward';
+import { IoEllipseOutline } from '@react-icons/all-files/io5/IoEllipseOutline';
+
+import type { UploadStep } from '../UploadModal';
+
+import style from './UploadStep.module.scss';
+
+export default function UploadStepTracker({ uploadStep }: { uploadStep: UploadStep }) {
+  const isImporting = uploadStep === 'import';
+  const isReview = uploadStep === 'review';
+
+  return (
+    <div className={style.stepRow}>
+      <div className={isImporting ? style.active : style.idle}>
+        <IoCheckmarkCircle />
+        Import
+      </div>
+      <IoChevronForward className={isReview ? style.activeIcon : style.inactiveIcon} />
+      <div className={isReview ? style.active : style.inactive}>
+        {isReview ? <IoCheckmarkCircle /> : <IoEllipseOutline />}
+        Review
+      </div>
+    </div>
+  );
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/uploadModalContext.tsx b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/uploadModalContext.tsx
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..e17bc0869
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/uploadModalContext.tsx
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+import { create } from 'zustand';
+
+type UploadModalContext = {
+  file: File | null;
+  setFile: (file: File | null) => void;
+
+  progress: number;
+  setProgress: (progress: number) => void;
+
+  clear: () => void;
+};
+
+export const useUploadModalContextStore = create<UploadModalContext>((set) => ({
+  file: null,
+  setFile: (file: File | null) => set({ file }),
+
+  progress: 0,
+  setProgress: (progress: number) => set({ progress }),
+
+  clear: () => set({ file: null, progress: 0 }),
+}));
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/uploadUtils.ts b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/uploadUtils.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..1bbeb962d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/uploadUtils.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+import { ExcelImportMap } from 'ontime-utils';
+
+import { ProjectFileImportOptions } from '../../../common/api/ontimeApi';
+
+/**
+ * Validates a file according to the app upload contract
+ * @throws
+ * @param file
+ */
+export function validateFile(file: File) {
+  if (!file) {
+    throw new Error('No file to upload');
+  }
+
+  // Check if file is empty
+  if (file.size === 0) {
+    throw new Error('File is empty');
+  }
+
+  // Limit file size of a project file to around 1MB
+  if (file.name.endsWith('.json') && file.size > 1_000_000) {
+    throw new Error('File size limit (1MB) exceeded');
+  }
+
+  // Limit file size of an excel file to around 10MB
+  if (file.name.endsWith('.xlsx') && file.size > 10_000_000) {
+    throw new Error('File size limit (10MB) exceeded');
+  }
+
+  // Check file extension
+  if (!file.name.endsWith('.xlsx') && !file.name.endsWith('.json')) {
+    throw new Error('Unhandled file type');
+  }
+}
+
+export function isExcelFile(file: File | null) {
+  return file?.name.endsWith('.xlsx');
+}
+
+export function isOntimeFile(file: File | null) {
+  return file?.name.endsWith('.json');
+}
+
+type PersistedOntimeOptions = {
+  optionType: 'ontime';
+  options: Partial<ProjectFileImportOptions>;
+};
+
+type PersistedExcelOptions = {
+  optionType: 'excel';
+  options: ExcelImportMap;
+};
+
+export function persistOptions(options: PersistedOntimeOptions | PersistedExcelOptions) {
+  localStorage.setItem(`ontime-import-options-${options.optionType}`, JSON.stringify(options.options));
+}
+
+export function getPersistedOptions(optionType: 'excel' | 'ontime') {
+  const options = localStorage.getItem(`ontime-import-options-${optionType}`);
+  if (!options) {
+    return null;
+  }
+  return JSON.parse(options);
+}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/utils.ts b/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/utils.ts
deleted file mode 100644
index 940448571..000000000
--- a/apps/client/src/features/modals/upload-modal/utils.ts
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,25 +0,0 @@
-type ValidationStatus = {
-  errors: string[];
-  isValid: boolean;
-};
-
-export function validateFile(file: File): ValidationStatus {
-  const status: ValidationStatus = { errors: [], isValid: true };
-  if (!file) {
-    status.errors.push('No file to upload');
-    status.isValid = false;
-  }
-
-  // Limit file size to 1MB
-  if (file.size > 1000000) {
-    status.errors.push('File size limit (1MB) exceeded');
-    status.isValid = false;
-  }
-
-  // Check file extension
-  if (!file.name.endsWith('.xlsx') && !file.name.endsWith('.json')) {
-    status.errors.push('Unhandled file type');
-    status.isValid = false;
-  }
-  return status;
-}
diff --git a/apps/client/src/theme/OntimeProgress.ts b/apps/client/src/theme/OntimeProgress.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..cb5c7bf2e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/client/src/theme/OntimeProgress.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,8 @@
+export const ontimeProgressGray = {
+  track: {
+    background: '#f6f6f6', // $gray-500
+  },
+  filledTrack: {
+    background: '#578AF4', // $blue-500
+  },
+};
diff --git a/apps/client/src/theme/ontimeModal.ts b/apps/client/src/theme/ontimeModal.ts
index bba0429cd..6abae3dd5 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/theme/ontimeModal.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/theme/ontimeModal.ts
@@ -2,8 +2,8 @@ export const ontimeModal = {
   header: {
     fontWeight: 400,
     letterSpacing: '0.3px',
-    padding: '16px 24px',
-    fontSize: '20px',
+    padding: '1rem 1.5rem',
+    fontSize: '1.25rem',
     color: '#202020', // $gray-50
   },
   dialog: {
@@ -20,17 +20,29 @@ export const ontimeModal = {
     color: '#202020', // $gray-50
   },
   footer: {
-    padding: '8px',
+    padding: '0.5rem',
   },
 };
 
 export const ontimeSmallModal = {
   ...ontimeModal,
   body: {
-    padding: '16px',
-    fontSize: '14px',
+    padding: '1rem',
+    fontSize: 'calc(1rem - 2px)',
   },
   dialog: {
     minHeight: 'min(200px, 10vh)',
   },
 };
+
+export const ontimeUploadModal = {
+  ...ontimeSmallModal,
+  body: {
+    padding: '1rem',
+    fontSize: 'calc(1rem - 2px)',
+  },
+  dialog: {
+    minHeight: 'min(200px, 10vh)',
+    maxWidth: 'min(800px, 80vh)',
+  },
+};
diff --git a/apps/client/src/theme/theme.ts b/apps/client/src/theme/theme.ts
index d1b89a58b..2378a270e 100644
--- a/apps/client/src/theme/theme.ts
+++ b/apps/client/src/theme/theme.ts
@@ -13,7 +13,8 @@ import {
 import { ontimeCheckboxOnDark } from './ontimeCheckbox';
 import { ontimeEditable } from './ontimeEditable';
 import { ontimeMenuOnDark } from './ontimeMenu';
-import { ontimeModal, ontimeSmallModal } from './ontimeModal';
+import { ontimeModal, ontimeSmallModal, ontimeUploadModal } from './ontimeModal';
+import { ontimeProgressGray } from './OntimeProgress';
 import { ontimeBlockRadio } from './ontimeRadio';
 import { ontimeSelect } from './ontimeSelect';
 import { lightSwitch, ontimeSwitch } from './ontimeSwitch';
@@ -79,6 +80,12 @@ const theme = extendTheme({
       variants: {
         ontime: { ...ontimeModal },
         'ontime-small': { ...ontimeSmallModal },
+        'ontime-upload': { ...ontimeUploadModal },
+      },
+    },
+    Progress: {
+      variants: {
+        'ontime-on-light': { ...ontimeProgressGray },
       },
     },
     Radio: {
diff --git a/apps/server/package.json b/apps/server/package.json
index b4ba77d2e..805e1db5f 100644
--- a/apps/server/package.json
+++ b/apps/server/package.json
@@ -15,7 +15,7 @@
     "lowdb": "^5.0.5",
     "multer": "^1.4.5-lts.1",
     "node-osc": "^9.0.2",
-    "node-xlsx": "^0.21.0",
+    "node-xlsx": "^0.23.0",
     "ontime-utils": "workspace:*",
     "passport": "^0.6.0",
     "passport-local": "~1.0.0",
diff --git a/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.ts b/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.ts
index f155ba374..ea5285b9b 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.ts
@@ -2,7 +2,16 @@
  * Class Event Provider is a mediator for handling the local db
  * and adds logic specific to ontime data
  */
-import { ProjectData, OntimeRundown, ViewSettings } from 'ontime-types';
+import {
+  ProjectData,
+  OntimeRundown,
+  ViewSettings,
+  DatabaseModel,
+  OSCSettings,
+  UserFields,
+  Alias,
+  Settings,
+} from 'ontime-types';
 
 import { data, db } from '../../modules/loadDb.js';
 import { safeMerge } from './DataProvider.utils.js';
@@ -45,7 +54,7 @@ export class DataProvider {
     return data.settings;
   }
 
-  static async setSettings(newData) {
+  static async setSettings(newData: Settings) {
     data.settings = { ...newData };
     await this.persist();
   }
@@ -58,7 +67,7 @@ export class DataProvider {
     return data.aliases;
   }
 
-  static async setAliases(newData) {
+  static async setAliases(newData: Alias[]) {
     data.aliases = newData;
     await this.persist();
   }
@@ -76,12 +85,12 @@ export class DataProvider {
     await this.persist();
   }
 
-  static async setUserFields(newData) {
+  static async setUserFields(newData: UserFields) {
     data.userFields = { ...newData };
     await this.persist();
   }
 
-  static async setOsc(newData) {
+  static async setOsc(newData: OSCSettings) {
     data.osc = { ...newData };
     await this.persist();
   }
@@ -95,7 +104,7 @@ export class DataProvider {
     await db.write();
   }
 
-  static async mergeIntoData(newData) {
+  static async mergeIntoData(newData: Partial<DatabaseModel>) {
     const mergedData = safeMerge(data, newData);
     data.project = mergedData.project;
     data.settings = mergedData.settings;
diff --git a/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.utils.ts b/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.utils.ts
index f2ea10d68..eed142912 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.utils.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/DataProvider.utils.ts
@@ -1,10 +1,12 @@
+import { DatabaseModel } from 'ontime-types';
+
 /**
  * Merges two data objects
  * @param {object} existing
  * @param {object} newData
  */
-export function safeMerge(existing, newData) {
-  const { rundown, project, settings, viewSettings, osc, http, aliases, userFields } = newData || {};
+export function safeMerge(existing: DatabaseModel, newData: Partial<DatabaseModel>) {
+  const { rundown, project, settings, viewSettings, osc, aliases, userFields } = newData || {};
   return {
     ...existing,
     rundown: rundown ?? existing.rundown,
@@ -32,6 +34,5 @@ export function safeMerge(existing, newData) {
           : {}),
       },
     },
-    http: { ...existing.http, ...http },
   };
 }
diff --git a/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/__test__/DataProvider.test.ts b/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/__test__/DataProvider.test.ts
index 6a6f85a77..e17b019da 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/__test__/DataProvider.test.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/classes/data-provider/__test__/DataProvider.test.ts
@@ -42,11 +42,6 @@ describe('safeMerge', () => {
         onFinish: [],
       },
     },
-    http: {
-      enabled: true,
-      user: null,
-      pwd: null,
-    },
   };
 
   it('returns existing data if new data is not provided', () => {
@@ -188,19 +183,6 @@ describe('safeMerge', () => {
           onFinish: [],
         },
       },
-      http: {
-        user: null,
-        pwd: null,
-        messages: {
-          onLoad: [],
-          onStart: [],
-          onUpdate: [],
-          onPause: [],
-          onStop: [],
-          onFinish: [],
-        },
-        enabled: true,
-      },
     };
 
     const newData = {
diff --git a/apps/server/src/controllers/ontimeController.ts b/apps/server/src/controllers/ontimeController.ts
index 8a35ec09c..76eca8aea 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/controllers/ontimeController.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/controllers/ontimeController.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-import { Alias, LogOrigin, ProjectData } from 'ontime-types';
+import { Alias, DatabaseModel, LogOrigin, ProjectData } from 'ontime-types';
 
 import { RequestHandler } from 'express';
 import fs from 'fs';
@@ -7,13 +7,15 @@ import { networkInterfaces } from 'os';
 import { fileHandler } from '../utils/parser.js';
 import { DataProvider } from '../classes/data-provider/DataProvider.js';
 import { failEmptyObjects, failIsNotArray } from '../utils/routerUtils.js';
-import { mergeObject } from '../utils/parserUtils.js';
 import { PlaybackService } from '../services/PlaybackService.js';
 import { eventStore } from '../stores/EventStore.js';
 import { isDocker, resolveDbPath } from '../setup.js';
 import { oscIntegration } from '../services/integration-service/OscIntegration.js';
 import { logger } from '../classes/Logger.js';
-import { deleteAllEvents, forceReset } from '../services/rundown-service/RundownService.js';
+import { deleteAllEvents, notifyChanges } from '../services/rundown-service/RundownService.js';
+import { deepmerge } from 'ontime-utils';
+import { runtimeCacheStore } from '../stores/cachingStore.js';
+import { delayedRundownCacheKey } from '../services/rundown-service/delayedRundown.utils.js';
 
 // Create controller for GET request to '/ontime/poll'
 // Returns data for current state
@@ -44,43 +46,40 @@ export const dbDownload = async (req, res) => {
 };
 
 /**
- * handles file upload
+ * Parses a file and returns the result objects
+ * @param file
+ * @param _req
+ * @param _res
+ * @param options
+ */
+async function parseFile(file, _req, _res, options) {
+  if (!fs.existsSync(file)) {
+    throw new Error('Upload failed');
+  }
+  const result = await fileHandler(file, options);
+  return result.data;
+}
+
+/**
+ * parse an uploaded file and apply its parsed objects
  * @param file
  * @param req
  * @param res
  * @param [options]
  * @returns {Promise<void>}
  */
-const uploadAndParse = async (file, req, res, options) => {
-  if (!fs.existsSync(file)) {
-    res.status(500).send({ message: 'Upload failed' });
-    return;
-  }
+const parseAndApply = async (file, _req, res, options) => {
+  const result = await parseFile(file, _req, res, options);
 
-  try {
-    const result = await fileHandler(file);
+  PlaybackService.stop();
 
-    if ('error' in result && result.error) {
-      res.status(400).send({ message: result.message });
-    } else if ('data' in result && result.message === 'success') {
-      PlaybackService.stop();
-      // explicitly write objects
-      if (typeof result !== 'undefined') {
-        const newRundown = result.data.rundown || [];
-        if (options?.onlyRundown === 'true') {
-          await DataProvider.setRundown(newRundown);
-        } else {
-          await DataProvider.mergeIntoData(result.data);
-        }
-      }
-      forceReset();
-      res.sendStatus(200);
-    } else {
-      res.status(400).send({ message: 'Failed parsing, no data' });
-    }
-  } catch (error) {
-    res.status(400).send({ message: `Failed parsing ${error}` });
+  const newRundown = result.rundown || [];
+  if (options?.onlyRundown === 'true') {
+    await DataProvider.setRundown(newRundown);
+  } else {
+    await DataProvider.mergeIntoData(result);
   }
+  notifyChanges({ timer: true, external: true, reset: true });
 };
 
 /**
@@ -169,7 +168,7 @@ export const postUserFields = async (req, res) => {
   }
   try {
     const persistedData = DataProvider.getUserFields();
-    const newData = mergeObject(persistedData, req.body);
+    const newData = deepmerge(persistedData, req.body);
     await DataProvider.setUserFields(newData);
     res.status(200).send(newData);
   } catch (error) {
@@ -324,8 +323,38 @@ export const postOSC = async (req, res) => {
   }
 };
 
-// Create controller for POST request to '/ontime/db'
-// Returns -
+export async function patchPartialProjectFile(req, res) {
+  if (failEmptyObjects(req.body, res)) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const patchDb: Partial<DatabaseModel> = {
+      project: req.body?.project,
+      settings: req.body?.settings,
+      viewSettings: req.body?.viewSettings,
+      osc: req.body?.osc,
+      aliases: req.body?.aliases,
+      userFields: req.body?.userFields,
+      rundown: req.body?.rundown,
+    };
+
+    await DataProvider.mergeIntoData(patchDb);
+    if (patchDb.rundown !== undefined) {
+      // it is likely cheaper to invalidate cache than to calculate diff
+      PlaybackService.stop();
+      runtimeCacheStore.invalidate(delayedRundownCacheKey);
+      notifyChanges({ external: true, reset: true });
+    }
+    res.status(200).send();
+  } catch (error) {
+    res.status(400).send(error);
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * uploads, parses and applies the data from a given file
+ */
 export const dbUpload = async (req, res) => {
   if (!req.file) {
     res.status(400).send({ message: 'File not found' });
@@ -333,10 +362,39 @@ export const dbUpload = async (req, res) => {
   }
   const options = req.query;
   const file = req.file.path;
-  await uploadAndParse(file, req, res, options);
+  try {
+    await parseAndApply(file, req, res, options);
+    res.status(200).send();
+  } catch (error) {
+    res.status(400).send({ message: `Failed parsing ${error}` });
+  }
 };
 
-// Create controller for POST request to '/ontime/new'
+/**
+ * uploads and parses an excel file
+ * @returns parsed result
+ */
+export async function previewExcel(req, res) {
+  if (!req.file) {
+    res.status(400).send({ message: 'File not found' });
+    return;
+  }
+
+  try {
+    const options = JSON.parse(req.body.options);
+    const file = req.file.path;
+    const data = await parseFile(file, req, res, options);
+    res.status(200).send(data);
+  } catch (error) {
+    res.status(500).send({ message: error.toString() });
+  }
+}
+
+/**
+ * Meant to create a new project file, it will clear only fields which are specific to a project
+ * @param req
+ * @param res
+ */
 export const postNew: RequestHandler = async (req, res) => {
   try {
     const newProjectData: ProjectData = {
diff --git a/apps/server/src/controllers/ontimeController.validate.ts b/apps/server/src/controllers/ontimeController.validate.ts
index 5f67aa4e3..8be1c8bf5 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/controllers/ontimeController.validate.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/controllers/ontimeController.validate.ts
@@ -118,3 +118,18 @@ export const validateOscSubscription = [
     next();
   },
 ];
+
+export const validatePatchProjectFile = [
+  body('rundown').isArray().optional({ nullable: false }),
+  body('project').isObject().optional({ nullable: false }),
+  body('settings').isObject().optional({ nullable: false }),
+  body('viewSettings').isObject().optional({ nullable: false }),
+  body('aliases').isArray().optional({ nullable: false }),
+  body('userFields').isObject().optional({ nullable: false }),
+  body('osc').isObject().optional({ nullable: false }),
+  (req, res, next) => {
+    const errors = validationResult(req);
+    if (!errors.isEmpty()) return res.status(422).json({ errors: errors.array() });
+    next();
+  },
+];
diff --git a/apps/server/src/modules/loadDb.ts b/apps/server/src/modules/loadDb.ts
index 9de1cccd5..4b831f131 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/modules/loadDb.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/modules/loadDb.ts
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@ const parseDb = async (fileToRead, adapterToUse) => {
     adapterToUse.data = dbModel;
   }
 
-  return parseJson(adapterToUse.data, true);
+  return parseJson(adapterToUse.data);
 };
 
 /**
diff --git a/apps/server/src/routes/ontimeRouter.ts b/apps/server/src/routes/ontimeRouter.ts
index 8ff789817..67f4fb033 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/routes/ontimeRouter.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/routes/ontimeRouter.ts
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ import {
   getSettings,
   getUserFields,
   getViewSettings,
+  patchPartialProjectFile,
   poll,
   postAliases,
   postNew,
@@ -17,12 +18,14 @@ import {
   postSettings,
   postUserFields,
   postViewSettings,
+  previewExcel,
 } from '../controllers/ontimeController.js';
 
 import {
   validateAliases,
   validateOSC,
   validateOscSubscription,
+  validatePatchProjectFile,
   validateSettings,
   validateUserFields,
   viewValidator,
@@ -40,6 +43,12 @@ router.get('/db', dbDownload);
 // create route between controller and '/ontime/db' endpoint
 router.post('/db', uploadFile, dbUpload);
 
+// create route between controller and '/ontime/excel' endpoint
+router.patch('/db', validatePatchProjectFile, patchPartialProjectFile);
+
+// create route between controller and '/ontime/preview-spreadsheet' endpoint
+router.post('/preview-spreadsheet', uploadFile, previewExcel);
+
 // create route between controller and '/ontime/settings' endpoint
 router.get('/settings', getSettings);
 
diff --git a/apps/server/src/services/rundown-service/RundownService.ts b/apps/server/src/services/rundown-service/RundownService.ts
index 7d1762506..8da7f6642 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/services/rundown-service/RundownService.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/services/rundown-service/RundownService.ts
@@ -35,7 +35,6 @@ import { clock } from '../Clock.js';
  */
 export function forceReset() {
   eventLoader.reset();
-  sendRefetch();
   runtimeCacheStore.invalidate(delayedRundownCacheKey);
 }
 
@@ -192,15 +191,11 @@ export async function addEvent(eventData: Partial<OntimeEvent> | Partial<OntimeD
   // modify rundown
   await cachedAdd(insertIndex, newEvent as OntimeEvent | OntimeDelay | OntimeBlock);
 
-  // notify timer service of changed events
-  updateTimer([id]);
+  notifyChanges({ timer: [id], external: true });
 
   // notify event loader that rundown size has changed
   updateChangeNumEvents();
 
-  // advice socket subscribers of change
-  sendRefetch();
-
   return newEvent;
 }
 
@@ -211,11 +206,7 @@ export async function editEvent(eventData: Partial<OntimeEvent> | Partial<Ontime
 
   const newEvent = await cachedEdit(eventData.id, eventData);
 
-  // notify timer service of changed events
-  updateTimer([newEvent.id]);
-
-  // advice socket subscribers of change
-  sendRefetch();
+  notifyChanges({ timer: [newEvent.id], external: true });
 
   return newEvent;
 }
@@ -228,14 +219,9 @@ export async function editEvent(eventData: Partial<OntimeEvent> | Partial<Ontime
 export async function deleteEvent(eventId) {
   await cachedDelete(eventId);
 
-  // notify timer service of changed events
-  updateTimer([eventId]);
-
+  notifyChanges({ timer: [eventId], external: true });
   // notify event loader that rundown size has changed
   updateChangeNumEvents();
-
-  // advice socket subscribers of change
-  sendRefetch();
 }
 
 /**
@@ -245,9 +231,7 @@ export async function deleteEvent(eventId) {
 export async function deleteAllEvents() {
   await cachedClear();
 
-  // notify timer service of changed events
-  updateTimer();
-  forceReset();
+  notifyChanges({ timer: true, external: true, reset: true });
 }
 
 /**
@@ -260,22 +244,15 @@ export async function deleteAllEvents() {
 export async function reorderEvent(eventId: string, from: number, to: number) {
   const reorderedItem = await cachedReorder(eventId, from, to);
 
-  // notify timer service of changed events
-  updateTimer();
+  notifyChanges({ timer: true, external: true });
 
-  // advice socket subscribers of change
-  sendRefetch();
   return reorderedItem;
 }
 
 export async function applyDelay(eventId: string) {
   await cachedApplyDelay(eventId);
 
-  // notify timer service of changed events
-  updateTimer();
-
-  // advice socket subscribers of change
-  sendRefetch();
+  notifyChanges({ timer: true, external: true });
 }
 
 /**
@@ -287,11 +264,7 @@ export async function applyDelay(eventId: string) {
 export async function swapEvents(from: string, to: string) {
   await cachedSwap(from, to);
 
-  // notify timer service of changed events
-  updateTimer();
-
-  // advice socket subscribers of change
-  sendRefetch();
+  notifyChanges({ timer: true, external: true });
 }
 
 /**
@@ -301,3 +274,26 @@ export async function swapEvents(from: string, to: string) {
 function updateChangeNumEvents() {
   eventLoader.updateNumEvents();
 }
+
+/**
+ * Notify services of changes in the rundown
+ */
+export function notifyChanges(options: { timer?: boolean | string[]; external?: boolean; reset?: boolean }) {
+  if (options.timer) {
+    // notify timer service of changed events
+    if (Array.isArray(options.timer)) {
+      updateTimer(options.timer);
+    }
+    updateTimer();
+  }
+
+  if (options.reset) {
+    // force rundown to be recalculated
+    forceReset();
+  }
+
+  if (options.external) {
+    // advice socket subscribers of change
+    sendRefetch();
+  }
+}
diff --git a/apps/server/src/utils/__tests__/parser.test.ts b/apps/server/src/utils/__tests__/parser.test.ts
index 81b4a6cb3..f30734ddb 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/utils/__tests__/parser.test.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/utils/__tests__/parser.test.ts
@@ -526,7 +526,7 @@ describe('test event validator', () => {
     expect(typeof validated.timeStart).toEqual('number');
     expect(validated.timeStart).toEqual(0);
     expect(typeof validated.timeEnd).toEqual('number');
-    expect(validated.timeEnd).toEqual(0);
+    expect(validated.timeEnd).toEqual(2);
   });
 
   it('handles bad objects', () => {
@@ -580,24 +580,24 @@ describe('test parseExcel function', () => {
       [
         'Time Start',
         'Time End',
-        'Event Title',
-        'Presenter Name',
-        'Event Subtitle',
+        'Title',
+        'Presenter',
+        'Subtitle',
         'End Action',
         'Timer type',
-        'Is Public? (x)',
-        'Skip? (x)',
+        'Public',
+        'Skip',
         'Notes',
-        'User0:test0',
-        'User1:test1',
-        'User2:test2',
-        'User3:test3',
-        'User4:test4',
-        'User5:test5',
-        'User6:test6',
-        'user7:test7',
-        'user8:test8',
-        'user9:test9',
+        'test0',
+        'test1',
+        'test2',
+        'test3',
+        'test4',
+        'test5',
+        'test6',
+        'test7',
+        'test8',
+        'test9',
         'Colour',
         'cue',
       ],
@@ -652,6 +652,19 @@ describe('test parseExcel function', () => {
       [],
     ];
 
+    const partialOptions = {
+      user0: 'test0',
+      user1: 'test1',
+      user2: 'test2',
+      user3: 'test3',
+      user4: 'test4',
+      user5: 'test5',
+      user6: 'test6',
+      user7: 'test7',
+      user8: 'test8',
+      user9: 'test9',
+    };
+
     const expectedParsedProjectData = {
       title: 'Test Event',
       description: 'test description',
@@ -707,7 +720,7 @@ describe('test parseExcel function', () => {
       },
     ];
 
-    const parsedData = await parseExcel(testdata);
+    const parsedData = parseExcel(testdata, partialOptions);
     expect(parsedData.project).toStrictEqual(expectedParsedProjectData);
     expect(parsedData.rundown).toBeDefined();
     expect(parsedData.rundown[0]).toMatchObject(expectedParsedRundown[0]);
@@ -836,7 +849,16 @@ describe('test views import', () => {
         app: 'ontime',
         version: 2,
       },
-      viewSettings: {},
+      viewSettings: {
+        normalColor: '#ffffffcc',
+        warningColor: '#FFAB33',
+        warningThreshold: 120000,
+        dangerColor: '#ED3333',
+        dangerThreshold: 60000,
+        endMessage: '',
+        overrideStyles: false,
+        notAthing: true,
+      },
       views: {
         overrideStyles: true,
       },
@@ -850,7 +872,7 @@ describe('test views import', () => {
       endMessage: '',
       overrideStyles: false,
     };
-    const parsed = parseViewSettings(testData, false);
+    const parsed = parseViewSettings(testData);
     expect(parsed).toStrictEqual(expectedParsedViewSettings);
   });
 
@@ -862,16 +884,7 @@ describe('test views import', () => {
         version: 2,
       },
     };
-    const expectedParsedViewSettings = {
-      normalColor: '#ffffffcc',
-      warningColor: '#FFAB33',
-      warningThreshold: 120000,
-      dangerColor: '#ED3333',
-      dangerThreshold: 60000,
-      endMessage: '',
-      overrideStyles: false,
-    };
-    const parsed = parseViewSettings(testData, true);
-    expect(parsed).toStrictEqual(expectedParsedViewSettings);
+    const parsed = parseViewSettings(testData);
+    expect(parsed).toStrictEqual({});
   });
 });
diff --git a/apps/server/src/utils/__tests__/parserUtils.test.ts b/apps/server/src/utils/__tests__/parserUtils.test.ts
index 0b348a083..a69957328 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/utils/__tests__/parserUtils.test.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/utils/__tests__/parserUtils.test.ts
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ describe('mergeObject()', () => {
       third: '',
     });
   });
-  test.skip('it only merges fields of the first object', () => {
+  test('it only merges fields of the first object', () => {
     const a = {
       first: 'yes',
       second: 'yes',
@@ -64,6 +64,35 @@ describe('mergeObject()', () => {
       third: '',
     });
   });
+  test('merges nested objects', () => {
+    // Define a sample object with nested properties
+    const a = {
+      name: 'John',
+      address: {
+        city: 'New York',
+        postalCode: '10001',
+      },
+    };
+
+    // Define a partial object with nested properties for merging
+    const b = {
+      name: 'Doe',
+      address: {
+        city: 'San Francisco',
+        state: 'CA',
+      },
+    };
+
+    const merged = mergeObject(a, b);
+
+    expect(merged.name).toBe('Doe');
+    expect(merged.address.city).toBe('San Francisco');
+    // @ts-expect-error -- its ok, just checking
+    expect(merged.address.state).toBe('CA');
+    expect(merged.address.postalCode).toBe('10001');
+    expect(merged.address).not.toBe(a.address);
+    expect(merged.address).not.toBe(b.address);
+  });
 });
 
 describe('removeUndefined()', () => {
diff --git a/apps/server/src/utils/fileManagement.js b/apps/server/src/utils/fileManagement.ts
similarity index 100%
rename from apps/server/src/utils/fileManagement.js
rename to apps/server/src/utils/fileManagement.ts
diff --git a/apps/server/src/utils/getRandomName.js b/apps/server/src/utils/getRandomName.ts
similarity index 100%
rename from apps/server/src/utils/getRandomName.js
rename to apps/server/src/utils/getRandomName.ts
diff --git a/apps/server/src/utils/parser.ts b/apps/server/src/utils/parser.ts
index 260bab21b..bd2459869 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/utils/parser.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/utils/parser.ts
@@ -1,18 +1,27 @@
-// eslint-disable-next-line @typescript-eslint/ban-ts-comment
-// @ts-nocheck -- not ready to fully type
-
-import fs from 'fs';
-import xlsx from 'node-xlsx';
-import { generateId, calculateDuration } from 'ontime-utils';
+import {
+  generateId,
+  isExcelImportMap,
+  type ExcelImportMap,
+  defaultExcelImportMap,
+  validateEndAction,
+  validateTimerType,
+  type ExcelImportOptions,
+  validateTimes,
+} from 'ontime-utils';
 import {
   DatabaseModel,
-  EndAction,
   OntimeEvent,
   OntimeRundown,
   SupportedEvent,
-  TimerType,
+  ProjectData,
   UserFields,
+  EndAction,
+  TimerType,
 } from 'ontime-types';
+
+import fs from 'fs';
+import xlsx from 'node-xlsx';
+
 import { event as eventDef } from '../models/eventsDefinition.js';
 import { dbModel } from '../models/dataModel.js';
 import { deleteFile, makeString } from './parserUtils.js';
@@ -33,27 +42,55 @@ export const JSON_MIME = 'application/json';
 /**
  * @description Excel array parser
  * @param {array} excelData - array with excel sheet
+ * @param {ExcelImportOptions} options - an object that contains the import map
  * @returns {object} - parsed object
  */
-export const parseExcel = async (excelData) => {
+export const parseExcel = (excelData: unknown[][], options?: Partial<ExcelImportMap>) => {
+  const importMap: ExcelImportMap = { ...defaultExcelImportMap, ...options };
   const projectData: Partial<ProjectData> = {
     title: '',
     description: '',
     publicUrl: '',
+    publicInfo: '',
     backstageUrl: '',
+    backstageInfo: '',
+  };
+  const customUserFields: Partial<UserFields> = {
+    user0: importMap.user0,
+    user1: importMap.user1,
+    user2: importMap.user2,
+    user3: importMap.user3,
+    user4: importMap.user4,
+    user5: importMap.user5,
+    user6: importMap.user6,
+    user7: importMap.user7,
+    user8: importMap.user8,
+    user9: importMap.user9,
   };
-  const customUserFields: Partial<UserFields> = {};
   const rundown: OntimeRundown = [];
-  let timeStartIndex: number | null = null;
-  let timeEndIndex: number | null = null;
+
+  // title stuff: strings
   let titleIndex: number | null = null;
   let cueIndex: number | null = null;
   let presenterIndex: number | null = null;
   let subtitleIndex: number | null = null;
-  let isPublicIndex: number | null = null;
-  let skipIndex: number | null = null;
   let notesIndex: number | null = null;
   let colourIndex: number | null = null;
+
+  // options: booleans
+  let isPublicIndex: number | null = null;
+  let skipIndex: number | null = null;
+
+  // times: numbers
+  let timeStartIndex: number | null = null;
+  let timeEndIndex: number | null = null;
+  let durationIndex: number | null = null;
+
+  // options: enum properties
+  let endActionIndex: number | null = null;
+  let timerTypeIndex: number | null = null;
+
+  // user fields: strings
   let user0Index: number | null = null;
   let user1Index: number | null = null;
   let user2Index: number | null = null;
@@ -64,13 +101,11 @@ export const parseExcel = async (excelData) => {
   let user7Index: number | null = null;
   let user8Index: number | null = null;
   let user9Index: number | null = null;
-  let endActionIndex: number | null = null;
-  let timerTypeIndex: number | null = null;
 
   excelData
     .filter((e) => e.length > 0)
     .forEach((row) => {
-      // project data imports are on the column to the right
+      // these fields contain the data to its right
       let projectTitleNext = false;
       let projectDescriptionNext = false;
       let publicUrlNext = false;
@@ -79,31 +114,68 @@ export const parseExcel = async (excelData) => {
       let backstageInfoNext = false;
 
       const event: Partial<OntimeEvent> = {};
+      const handlers = {
+        [importMap.projectName]: () => (projectTitleNext = true),
+        [importMap.projectDescription]: () => (projectDescriptionNext = true),
+        [importMap.publicUrl]: () => (publicUrlNext = true),
+        [importMap.publicInfo]: () => (publicInfoNext = true),
+        [importMap.backstageUrl]: () => (backstageUrlNext = true),
+        [importMap.backstageInfo]: () => (backstageInfoNext = true),
+
+        [importMap.timeStart]: (index: number) => (timeStartIndex = index),
+        [importMap.timeEnd]: (index: number) => (timeEndIndex = index),
+        [importMap.duration]: (index: number) => (durationIndex = index),
+
+        [importMap.cue]: (index: number) => (cueIndex = index),
+        [importMap.title]: (index: number) => (titleIndex = index),
+        [importMap.presenter]: (index: number) => (presenterIndex = index),
+        [importMap.subtitle]: (index: number) => (subtitleIndex = index),
+        [importMap.isPublic]: (index: number) => (isPublicIndex = index),
+        [importMap.skip]: (index: number) => (skipIndex = index),
+        [importMap.note]: (index: number) => (notesIndex = index),
+        [importMap.colour]: (index: number) => (colourIndex = index),
+
+        [importMap.endAction]: (index: number) => (endActionIndex = index),
+        [importMap.timerType]: (index: number) => (timerTypeIndex = index),
+
+        [importMap.user0]: (index: number) => (user0Index = index),
+        [importMap.user1]: (index: number) => (user1Index = index),
+        [importMap.user2]: (index: number) => (user2Index = index),
+        [importMap.user3]: (index: number) => (user3Index = index),
+        [importMap.user4]: (index: number) => (user4Index = index),
+        [importMap.user5]: (index: number) => (user5Index = index),
+        [importMap.user6]: (index: number) => (user6Index = index),
+        [importMap.user7]: (index: number) => (user7Index = index),
+        [importMap.user8]: (index: number) => (user8Index = index),
+        [importMap.user9]: (index: number) => (user9Index = index),
+      } as const;
 
       row.forEach((column, j) => {
-        // check flags
+        // 1. we check if we have set a flag for a known field
         if (projectTitleNext) {
-          projectData.title = column;
+          projectData.title = makeString(column, '');
           projectTitleNext = false;
         } else if (projectDescriptionNext) {
-          projectData.description = column;
+          projectData.description = makeString(column, '');
           projectDescriptionNext = false;
         } else if (publicUrlNext) {
-          projectData.publicUrl = column;
+          projectData.publicUrl = makeString(column, '');
           publicUrlNext = false;
         } else if (publicInfoNext) {
-          projectData.publicInfo = column;
+          projectData.publicInfo = makeString(column, '');
           publicInfoNext = false;
         } else if (backstageUrlNext) {
-          projectData.backstageUrl = column;
+          projectData.backstageUrl = makeString(column, '');
           backstageUrlNext = false;
         } else if (backstageInfoNext) {
-          projectData.backstageInfo = column;
+          projectData.backstageInfo = makeString(column, '');
           backstageInfoNext = false;
         } else if (j === timeStartIndex) {
           event.timeStart = parseExcelDate(column);
         } else if (j === timeEndIndex) {
           event.timeEnd = parseExcelDate(column);
+        } else if (j === durationIndex) {
+          event.duration = parseExcelDate(column);
         } else if (j === titleIndex) {
           event.title = makeString(column, '');
         } else if (j === cueIndex) {
@@ -119,166 +191,51 @@ export const parseExcel = async (excelData) => {
         } else if (j === notesIndex) {
           event.note = makeString(column, '');
         } else if (j === endActionIndex) {
-          if (column === '') {
-            event.endAction = EndAction.None;
-          } else {
-            event.endAction = column;
-          }
+          event.endAction = validateEndAction(column);
         } else if (j === timerTypeIndex) {
-          if (column === '') {
-            event.timerType = TimerType.CountDown;
-          } else {
-            event.timerType = column;
-          }
+          event.timerType = validateTimerType(column);
         } else if (j === colourIndex) {
-          event.colour = column;
+          event.colour = makeString(column, '');
         } else if (j === user0Index) {
-          event.user0 = column;
+          event.user0 = makeString(column, '');
         } else if (j === user1Index) {
-          event.user1 = column;
+          event.user1 = makeString(column, '');
         } else if (j === user2Index) {
-          event.user2 = column;
+          event.user2 = makeString(column, '');
         } else if (j === user3Index) {
-          event.user3 = column;
+          event.user3 = makeString(column, '');
         } else if (j === user4Index) {
-          event.user4 = column;
+          event.user4 = makeString(column, '');
         } else if (j === user5Index) {
-          event.user5 = column;
+          event.user5 = makeString(column, '');
         } else if (j === user6Index) {
-          event.user6 = column;
+          event.user6 = makeString(column, '');
         } else if (j === user7Index) {
-          event.user7 = column;
+          event.user7 = makeString(column, '');
         } else if (j === user8Index) {
-          event.user8 = column;
+          event.user8 = makeString(column, '');
         } else if (j === user9Index) {
-          event.user9 = column;
+          event.user9 = makeString(column, '');
         } else {
+          // 2. if there is no flag, lets see if we know the field type
           if (typeof column === 'string') {
             const col = column.toLowerCase();
 
-            // look for keywords
-            // need to make sure it is a string first
-            switch (col) {
-              case 'project name':
-                projectTitleNext = true;
-                break;
-              case 'project description':
-                projectDescriptionNext = true;
-                break;
-              case 'public url':
-                publicUrlNext = true;
-                break;
-              case 'public info':
-                publicInfoNext = true;
-                break;
-              case 'backstage url':
-                backstageUrlNext = true;
-                break;
-              case 'backstage info':
-                backstageInfoNext = true;
-                break;
-              case 'time start':
-              case 'start':
-                timeStartIndex = j;
-                break;
-              case 'time end':
-              case 'end':
-              case 'finish':
-                timeEndIndex = j;
-                break;
-              case 'cue':
-              case 'page':
-                cueIndex = j;
-                break;
-              case 'event title':
-              case 'title':
-                titleIndex = j;
-                break;
-              case 'presenter name':
-              case 'speaker':
-              case 'presenter':
-                presenterIndex = j;
-                break;
-              case 'event subtitle':
-              case 'subtitle':
-                subtitleIndex = j;
-                break;
-              case 'is public? (x)':
-              case 'is public':
-              case 'public':
-                isPublicIndex = j;
-                break;
-              case 'skip? (x)':
-              case 'skip?':
-              case 'skip':
-                skipIndex = j;
-                break;
-              case 'note':
-              case 'notes':
-                notesIndex = j;
-                break;
-              case 'colour':
-              case 'color':
-                colourIndex = j;
-                break;
-              case 'end action':
-                endActionIndex = j;
-                break;
-              case 'timer type':
-                timerTypeIndex = j;
-                break;
-              default:
-                // look for user defined
-                if (col.startsWith('user')) {
-                  const index = column.charAt(4);
-                  // name is the bit after the :
-                  const [, name] = column.split(':');
-                  if (typeof name !== 'undefined') {
-                    if (index === '0') {
-                      customUserFields.user0 = name;
-                      user0Index = j;
-                    } else if (index === '1') {
-                      customUserFields.user1 = name;
-                      user1Index = j;
-                    } else if (index === '2') {
-                      customUserFields.user2 = name;
-                      user2Index = j;
-                    } else if (index === '3') {
-                      customUserFields.user3 = name;
-                      user3Index = j;
-                    } else if (index === '4') {
-                      customUserFields.user4 = name;
-                      user4Index = j;
-                    } else if (index === '5') {
-                      customUserFields.user5 = name;
-                      user5Index = j;
-                    } else if (index === '6') {
-                      customUserFields.user6 = name;
-                      user6Index = j;
-                    } else if (index === '7') {
-                      customUserFields.user7 = name;
-                      user7Index = j;
-                    } else if (index === '8') {
-                      customUserFields.user8 = name;
-                      user8Index = j;
-                    } else if (index === '9') {
-                      customUserFields.user9 = name;
-                      user9Index = j;
-                    }
-                  }
-                }
-                break;
+            if (handlers[col]) {
+              handlers[col](j);
             }
+            // else. we don't know how to handle this column
+            // just ignore it
           }
         }
       });
 
       if (Object.keys(event).length > 0) {
         // if any data was found, push to array
-        // take care of it in the next step
         rundown.push({ ...event, type: SupportedEvent.Event } as OntimeEvent);
       }
     });
+
   return {
     rundown,
     project: projectData,
@@ -286,17 +243,16 @@ export const parseExcel = async (excelData) => {
       app: 'ontime',
       version: 2,
     },
-    userFields: { ...dbModel.userFields, ...customUserFields },
+    userFields: customUserFields,
   };
 };
 
 /**
- * @description JSON parser function for v1 of data system
- * @param {object} jsonData - json data JSON object to be parsed
- * @param {boolean} [enforce=false] - flag, tells to create an object anyway
+ * @description JSON parser function for ontime project file
+ * @param {object} jsonData - project file to be parsed
  * @returns {object} - parsed object
  */
-export const parseJson = async (jsonData, enforce = false): Promise<DatabaseModel | null> => {
+export const parseJson = async (jsonData): Promise<DatabaseModel | null> => {
   if (!jsonData || typeof jsonData !== 'object') {
     return null;
   }
@@ -307,17 +263,17 @@ export const parseJson = async (jsonData, enforce = false): Promise<DatabaseMode
   // parse Events
   returnData.rundown = parseRundown(jsonData);
   // parse Event
-  returnData.project = parseProject(jsonData, enforce);
+  returnData.project = parseProject(jsonData) ?? dbModel.project;
   // Settings handled partially
-  returnData.settings = parseSettings(jsonData, enforce);
+  returnData.settings = parseSettings(jsonData) ?? dbModel.settings;
   // View settings handled partially
-  returnData.viewSettings = parseViewSettings(jsonData, enforce);
+  returnData.viewSettings = parseViewSettings(jsonData) ?? dbModel.viewSettings;
   // Import Aliases if any
   returnData.aliases = parseAliases(jsonData);
   // Import user fields if any
   returnData.userFields = parseUserFields(jsonData);
   // Import OSC settings if any
-  returnData.osc = parseOsc(jsonData, enforce);
+  returnData.osc = parseOsc(jsonData) ?? dbModel.osc;
   // Import HTTP settings if any
   // returnData.http = parseHttp(jsonData, enforce);
 
@@ -344,19 +300,19 @@ export const validateEvent = (eventArgs: Partial<OntimeEvent>, cueFallback: stri
 
     const e = eventArgs;
     const d = eventDef;
-    const start = e.timeStart != null && typeof e.timeStart === 'number' ? e.timeStart : d.timeStart;
-    const end = e.timeEnd != null && typeof e.timeEnd === 'number' ? e.timeEnd : d.timeEnd;
+
+    const { timeStart, timeEnd, duration } = validateTimes(e.timeStart, e.timeEnd, e.duration);
 
     event = {
       ...d,
       title: makeString(e.title, d.title),
       subtitle: makeString(e.subtitle, d.subtitle),
       presenter: makeString(e.presenter, d.presenter),
-      timeStart: start,
-      timeEnd: end,
-      endAction: makeString(e.endAction, d.endAction),
-      timerType: makeString(e.timerType, d.timerType),
-      duration: calculateDuration(start, end),
+      timeStart,
+      timeEnd,
+      duration,
+      endAction: validateEndAction(e.endAction, EndAction.None),
+      timerType: validateTimerType(e.timerType, TimerType.CountDown),
       isPublic: typeof e.isPublic === 'boolean' ? e.isPublic : d.isPublic,
       skip: typeof e.skip === 'boolean' ? e.skip : d.skip,
       note: makeString(e.note, d.note),
@@ -371,8 +327,8 @@ export const validateEvent = (eventArgs: Partial<OntimeEvent>, cueFallback: stri
       user8: makeString(e.user8, d.user8),
       user9: makeString(e.user9, d.user9),
       colour: makeString(e.colour, d.colour),
-      id,
       cue: makeString(e.cue, cueFallback),
+      id,
       type: 'event',
     };
   }
@@ -380,68 +336,59 @@ export const validateEvent = (eventArgs: Partial<OntimeEvent>, cueFallback: stri
   return event;
 };
 
-type ResponseOK = { data: Partial<DatabaseModel>; message: 'success' };
-type ResponseError = { error: true; message: string };
+type ResponseOK = {
+  data: Partial<DatabaseModel>;
+};
 
 /**
  * @description Middleware function that checks file type and calls relevant parser
  * @param {string} file - reference to file
+ * @param options - import options
  * @return {object} - parse result message
  */
-export const fileHandler = async (file): Promise<ResponseOK | ResponseError> => {
-  let res: Partial<ResponseOK | ResponseError> = {};
+export const fileHandler = async (file: string, options: ExcelImportOptions): Promise<Partial<ResponseOK>> => {
+  const res: Partial<ResponseOK> = {};
 
   // check which file type are we dealing with
   if (file.endsWith('.xlsx')) {
-    try {
-      const excelData = xlsx
-        .parse(file, { cellDates: true })
-        .find(({ name }) => name.toLowerCase() === 'ontime' || name.toLowerCase() === 'event schedule');
-
-      // we only look at worksheets called ontime or event schedule
-      if (excelData?.data) {
-        const dataFromExcel = await parseExcel(excelData.data);
-        res.data = {};
-        res.data.rundown = parseRundown(dataFromExcel);
-        res.data.project = parseProject(dataFromExcel, true);
-        res.data.userFields = parseUserFields(dataFromExcel);
-        res.message = 'success';
-      } else {
-        const errorMessage = 'No sheet found named "ontime" or "event schedule"';
-        res = {
-          error: true,
-          message: errorMessage,
-        };
-      }
-    } catch (error) {
-      res = { error: true, message: `Error parsing file: ${error}` };
+    // we need to check that the options are applicable
+    if (!isExcelImportMap(options)) {
+      throw new Error('Got incorrect options to excel import', JSON.parse(options));
     }
+
+    const excelData = xlsx
+      .parse(file, { cellDates: true })
+      .find(({ name }) => name.toLowerCase() === options.worksheet.toLowerCase());
+
+    if (!excelData?.data) {
+      throw new Error(`Could not find data to import, maybe the worksheet name is incorrect: ${options.worksheet}`);
+    }
+
+    const dataFromExcel = parseExcel(excelData.data, options);
+    // we run the parsed data through an extra step to ensure the objects shape
+    res.data = {};
+    res.data.rundown = parseRundown(dataFromExcel);
+    if (res.data.rundown.length < 1) {
+      throw new Error(`Could not find data to import in the worksheet ${options.worksheet}`);
+    }
+    res.data.project = parseProject(dataFromExcel);
+    res.data.userFields = parseUserFields(dataFromExcel);
+    return res;
   }
 
   if (file.endsWith('.json')) {
     // if json check version
-    const rawdata = fs.readFileSync(file);
+    const rawdata = fs.readFileSync(file).toString();
     let uploadedJson = null;
 
-    try {
-      uploadedJson = JSON.parse(rawdata);
-    } catch (error) {
-      return { error: true, message: 'Error parsing JSON file' };
+    uploadedJson = JSON.parse(rawdata);
+    if (uploadedJson.settings.version !== 2) {
+      throw new Error(`Project version unknown ${uploadedJson.settings.version}`);
     }
+    res.data = await parseJson(uploadedJson);
 
-    if (uploadedJson.settings.version === 2) {
-      try {
-        res.data = await parseJson(uploadedJson);
-        res.message = 'success';
-      } catch (error) {
-        res = { error: true, message: `Error parsing file: ${error}` };
-      }
-    } else {
-      res = { error: true, message: 'Error parsing file, version unknown' };
-    }
+    // delete file
+    await deleteFile(file);
+    return res;
   }
-
-  // delete file
-  await deleteFile(file);
-  return res;
 };
diff --git a/apps/server/src/utils/parserFunctions.ts b/apps/server/src/utils/parserFunctions.ts
index 2bc0e3b75..3282e48f3 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/utils/parserFunctions.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/utils/parserFunctions.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 import { generateId } from 'ontime-utils';
 import {
   Alias,
-  EndAction,
   OntimeRundown,
   OSCSettings,
   OscSubscription,
@@ -9,7 +8,6 @@ import {
   ProjectData,
   Settings,
   TimerLifeCycle,
-  TimerType,
   UserFields,
   ViewSettings,
 } from 'ontime-types';
@@ -45,18 +43,6 @@ export const parseRundown = (data): OntimeRundown => {
           continue;
         }
 
-        // validate the right endAction is used
-        if (e.endAction && !Object.values(EndAction).includes(e.endAction)) {
-          e.endAction = EndAction.None;
-          console.log('WARNING: invalid End Action provided, using default');
-        }
-
-        // validate the right timerType is used
-        if (e.timerType && !Object.values(TimerType).includes(e.timerType)) {
-          e.timerType = TimerType.CountDown;
-          console.log('WARNING: invalid Timer Type provided, using default');
-        }
-
         if (e.type === 'event') {
           eventIndex += 1;
           const event = validateEvent(e, eventIndex.toString());
@@ -88,10 +74,9 @@ export const parseRundown = (data): OntimeRundown => {
 /**
  * Parse event portion of an entry
  * @param {object} data - data object
- * @param {boolean} enforce - whether to create a definition if one is missing
  * @returns {object} - event object data
  */
-export const parseProject = (data, enforce): ProjectData => {
+export const parseProject = (data): ProjectData => {
   let newProjectData: Partial<ProjectData> = {};
   // we are adding this here to aid transition, should be removed once enough time has past that users have fully migrated
   // TODO: Remove eventually
@@ -109,9 +94,6 @@ export const parseProject = (data, enforce): ProjectData => {
       backstageUrl: project.backstageUrl || dbModel.project.backstageUrl,
       backstageInfo: project.backstageInfo || dbModel.project.backstageInfo,
     };
-  } else if (enforce) {
-    newProjectData = { ...dbModel.project };
-    console.log('Created project object in db');
   }
   return newProjectData as ProjectData;
 };
@@ -119,10 +101,9 @@ export const parseProject = (data, enforce): ProjectData => {
 /**
  * Parse settings portion of an entry
  * @param {object} data - data object
- * @param {boolean} enforce - whether to create a definition if one is missing
  * @returns {object} - event object data
  */
-export const parseSettings = (data, enforce): Settings => {
+export const parseSettings = (data): Settings => {
   let newSettings: Partial<Settings> = {};
   if ('settings' in data) {
     console.log('Found settings definition, importing...');
@@ -146,9 +127,6 @@ export const parseSettings = (data, enforce): Settings => {
         ...settings,
       };
     }
-  } else if (enforce) {
-    newSettings = dbModel.settings;
-    console.log('Created settings object in db');
   }
   return newSettings as Settings;
 };
@@ -156,10 +134,9 @@ export const parseSettings = (data, enforce): Settings => {
 /**
  * Parse settings portion of an entry
  * @param {object} data - data object
- * @param {boolean} enforce - whether to create a definition if one is missing
  * @returns {object} - event object data
  */
-export const parseViewSettings = (data, enforce): ViewSettings => {
+export const parseViewSettings = (data): ViewSettings => {
   let newViews: Partial<ViewSettings> = {};
   if ('viewSettings' in data) {
     console.log('Found view definition, importing...');
@@ -175,13 +152,7 @@ export const parseViewSettings = (data, enforce): ViewSettings => {
       endMessage: v.endMessage ?? dbModel.viewSettings.endMessage,
     };
 
-    // write to db
-    newViews = {
-      ...viewSettings,
-    };
-  } else if (enforce) {
-    newViews = dbModel.viewSettings;
-    console.log('Created viewSettings object in db');
+    newViews = { ...viewSettings };
   }
   return newViews as ViewSettings;
 };
@@ -224,16 +195,11 @@ export const validateOscObject = (data: OscSubscription): boolean => {
 /**
  * Parse osc portion of an entry
  */
-export const parseOsc = (
-  data: {
-    osc?: Partial<OSCSettings>;
-  },
-  enforce: boolean,
-): OSCSettings | Record<string, never> => {
+export const parseOsc = (data: { osc?: Partial<OSCSettings> }): OSCSettings => {
   if ('osc' in data) {
     console.log('Found OSC definition, importing...');
 
-    const loadedConfig = data?.osc || {};
+    const loadedConfig = data.osc || {};
     const validatedSubscriptions = validateOscObject(loadedConfig.subscriptions)
       ? loadedConfig.subscriptions
       : dbModel.osc.subscriptions;
@@ -246,10 +212,7 @@ export const parseOsc = (
       enabledOut: loadedConfig.enabledOut ?? dbModel.osc.enabledOut,
       subscriptions: validatedSubscriptions,
     };
-  } else if (enforce) {
-    console.log('Created OSC object in db');
-    return { ...dbModel.osc };
-  } else return {};
+  }
 };
 
 /**
diff --git a/apps/server/src/utils/parserUtils.ts b/apps/server/src/utils/parserUtils.ts
index 4a09058c0..7adf2b7f9 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/utils/parserUtils.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/utils/parserUtils.ts
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
 import fs from 'fs';
+import { deepmerge } from 'ontime-utils';
 
 /**
  * @description Ensures variable is string, it skips object types
@@ -52,16 +53,30 @@ export const isEmptyObject = (obj: object) => {
 
 /**
  * @description Merges two objects, suppressing undefined keys
- * @param {object} a
- * @param {object} b
+ * @param {object} a - any object
+ * @param {object} b - a potential partial object of same time as a
  */
-export const mergeObject = (a, b) => {
-  const merged = {};
-  Object.keys({ ...a, ...b }).map((key) => {
-    merged[key] = typeof b[key] === 'undefined' ? a[key] : b[key];
-  });
+export function mergeObject<T extends Record<string, any>>(a: T, b: Partial<Record<keyof T, any>>): T {
+  const merged = { ...a };
+
+  for (const key in b) {
+    const aValue = a[key];
+    const bValue = b[key];
+
+    // ignore keys that do not exist in original object
+    if (!Object.hasOwn(merged, key)) {
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    if (typeof bValue === 'object' && bValue !== null && typeof aValue === 'object' && aValue !== null) {
+      // @ts-expect-error -- library side, ignore for now
+      merged[key] = deepmerge(aValue, bValue);
+    } else if (bValue !== undefined) {
+      merged[key] = bValue;
+    }
+  }
   return merged;
-};
+}
 
 /**
  * @description Removes undefined
diff --git a/apps/server/src/utils/time.ts b/apps/server/src/utils/time.ts
index d92aa7488..f3a010436 100644
--- a/apps/server/src/utils/time.ts
+++ b/apps/server/src/utils/time.ts
@@ -89,14 +89,18 @@ export const forgivingStringToMillis = (value: string, fillLeft = true): number
  * @returns {number} - time in milliseconds
 
  */
-export const parseExcelDate = (excelDate: string): number => {
-  // attempt converting to date object
-  const date = new Date(excelDate);
-  if (date instanceof Date && !isNaN(date.getTime())) {
-    return dateToMillis(date);
-  } else if (isTimeString(excelDate)) {
-    return forgivingStringToMillis(excelDate);
+export const parseExcelDate = (excelDate: unknown): number => {
+  if (excelDate instanceof Date) {
+    return dateToMillis(excelDate);
+  } else if (typeof excelDate === 'string') {
+    const date = new Date(excelDate);
+    if (date instanceof Date && !isNaN(date.getTime())) {
+      return dateToMillis(date);
+    } else if (isTimeString(excelDate)) {
+      return forgivingStringToMillis(excelDate);
+    }
   }
+
   return 0;
 };
 
diff --git a/apps/server/src/utils/url.js b/apps/server/src/utils/url.js
deleted file mode 100644
index 9da592e10..000000000
--- a/apps/server/src/utils/url.js
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,19 +0,0 @@
-/**
- * @description Cleans given url
- * @param {string} url - URL to be checked
- * @returns {string} Sanitized url
- */
-export const cleanURL = (url) => {
-  // trim whitespaces
-  let r = url.trim();
-
-  // clear any whitespaces
-  r = r.split(' ').join('%20');
-
-  // contain only allowed characters
-  r = r.replace(/([@\s<>[\]{}|\\^])+/g, '');
-  // starts with http://
-  if (!r.startsWith('http://')) r = `http://${r}`;
-
-  return r;
-};
diff --git a/apps/server/src/utils/url.ts b/apps/server/src/utils/url.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..9f8fd7bba
--- /dev/null
+++ b/apps/server/src/utils/url.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+/**
+ * @description Cleans given url
+ * @param {string} url - URL to be checked
+ * @returns {string} Sanitized url
+ */
+export const cleanURL = (url: string): string => {
+  // trim whitespaces
+  let sanitised = url.trim();
+
+  // clear any whitespaces
+  sanitised = sanitised.split(' ').join('%20');
+
+  // contain only allowed characters
+  sanitised = sanitised.replace(/([@\s<>[\]{}|\\^])+/g, '');
+
+  // starts with http://
+  if (!sanitised.startsWith('http://')) sanitised = `http://${sanitised}`;
+
+  return sanitised;
+};
diff --git a/e2e/tests/002-upload-showfile.spec.ts b/e2e/tests/002-upload-showfile.spec.ts
index 539c5e22f..d522581c6 100644
--- a/e2e/tests/002-upload-showfile.spec.ts
+++ b/e2e/tests/002-upload-showfile.spec.ts
@@ -13,13 +13,13 @@ test('test project file upload', async ({ page }) => {
   // https://playwright.dev/docs/api/class-filechooser
   const [fileChooser] = await Promise.all([
     page.waitForEvent('filechooser'),
-    await page.getByText('Click to upload Ontime project file').click(),
+    await page.getByText('Click to select Ontime project or xlsx rundown').click(),
   ]);
 
   await fileChooser.setFiles(fileToUpload);
 
+  // there is only one step for normal imports
   await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Import' }).click();
-  await page.getByRole('button', { name: 'Close' }).click();
 
   // asset test events
   await page.getByPlaceholder('Start').first().click();
diff --git a/package.json b/package.json
index feb142137..c93e6a71e 100644
--- a/package.json
+++ b/package.json
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
     "dist-mac": "turbo run dist-mac",
     "dist-linux": "turbo run dist-linux",
     "e2e": "cross-env DEBUG=pw:webserver npx playwright test -c playwright.config.ts",
+    "e2e:ui": "cross-env DEBUG=pw:webserver npx playwright test --ui -c playwright.config.ts",
     "e2e:i": "npx playwright codegen",
     "cleanup": "rm -rf node_modules && rm -rf **/node_modules && rm -rf **/**/node_modules"
   },
diff --git a/packages/types/src/utils/guards.ts b/packages/types/src/utils/guards.ts
index 74cb630e7..d1a596718 100644
--- a/packages/types/src/utils/guards.ts
+++ b/packages/types/src/utils/guards.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 import { OntimeRundownEntry } from '../definitions/core/Rundown.type.js';
 import { OntimeBlock, OntimeDelay, OntimeEvent, SupportedEvent } from '../definitions/core/OntimeEvent.type.js';
 
-type MaybeEvent = OntimeRundownEntry | null | undefined;
+type MaybeEvent = Partial<OntimeRundownEntry> | null | undefined;
 
 export function isOntimeEvent(event: MaybeEvent): event is OntimeEvent {
   return event?.type === SupportedEvent.Event;
diff --git a/packages/utils/index.ts b/packages/utils/index.ts
index d86894c2f..ac0060d56 100644
--- a/packages/utils/index.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/index.ts
@@ -1,12 +1,13 @@
 // runtime utils
 export { getFirst, getFirstEvent, getLastEvent, getNext, getPrevious } from './src/rundown-utils/rundownUtils.js';
 export { validatePlayback } from './src/validate-action/validatePlayback.js';
+export { validateTimes } from './src/validate-events/validateEvent.js';
+export { calculateDuration } from './src/validate-events/validateEvent.js';
 
 // rundown utils
 export { sanitiseCue } from './src/cue-utils/cueUtils.js';
 export { getCueCandidate } from './src/cue-utils/cueUtils.js';
 export { generateId } from './src/generate-id/generateId.js';
-export { calculateDuration } from './src/rundown-utils/rundownUtils.js';
 export { swapOntimeEvents } from './src/rundown-utils/rundownUtils.js';
 
 // format utils
@@ -18,5 +19,21 @@ export { millisToString } from './src/date-utils/millisToString.js';
 // time utils
 export { dayInMs, mts } from './src/timeConstants.js';
 
+// helpers from externals
+export { deepmerge } from './src/externals/deepmerge.js';
+
 // generic utilities
 export { isNumeric } from './src/types/types.js';
+
+// model validation
+export { validateEndAction, validateTimerType } from './src/validate-events/validateEvent.js';
+
+// feature business logic
+
+// feature business logic - excel import
+export {
+  type ExcelImportMap,
+  type ExcelImportOptions,
+  defaultExcelImportMap,
+  isExcelImportMap,
+} from './src/feature/excel-import/excelImport.js';
diff --git a/packages/utils/package.json b/packages/utils/package.json
index 2d1d7dd2b..c11c74c9e 100644
--- a/packages/utils/package.json
+++ b/packages/utils/package.json
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
     "cleanup": "rm -rf .turbo && rm -rf node_modules"
   },
   "dependencies": {
+    "deepmerge-ts": "^5.1.0",
     "luxon": "^3.3.0",
     "nanoid": "^4.0.1"
   },
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/externals/deepmerge.ts b/packages/utils/src/externals/deepmerge.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..23bc35e07
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/utils/src/externals/deepmerge.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,2 @@
+// evaluating the library, we re-export to make it easy to detach
+export { deepmerge } from 'deepmerge-ts';
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/feature/excel-import/excelImport.ts b/packages/utils/src/feature/excel-import/excelImport.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..7ef041fe2
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/utils/src/feature/excel-import/excelImport.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+export type ExcelImportOptions = keyof typeof defaultExcelImportMap;
+export type ExcelImportMap = typeof defaultExcelImportMap;
+
+export const defaultExcelImportMap = {
+  worksheet: 'event schedule',
+  projectName: 'project name',
+  projectDescription: 'project description',
+  publicUrl: 'public url',
+  publicInfo: 'public info',
+  backstageUrl: 'backstage url',
+  backstageInfo: 'backstage info',
+  timeStart: 'time start',
+  timeEnd: 'time end',
+  duration: 'duration',
+  cue: 'cue',
+  title: 'title',
+  presenter: 'presenter',
+  subtitle: 'subtitle',
+  isPublic: 'public',
+  skip: 'skip',
+  note: 'notes',
+  colour: 'colour',
+  endAction: 'end action',
+  timerType: 'timer type',
+  user0: 'user0',
+  user1: 'user1',
+  user2: 'user2',
+  user3: 'user3',
+  user4: 'user4',
+  user5: 'user5',
+  user6: 'user6',
+  user7: 'user7',
+  user8: 'user8',
+  user9: 'user9',
+};
+
+export function isExcelImportMap(obj: unknown): obj is ExcelImportMap {
+  if (typeof obj !== 'object' || obj === null) {
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  const keys = Object.keys(obj);
+  return keys.every((key) => Object.hasOwn(defaultExcelImportMap, key));
+}
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/rundown-utils/rundownUtils.test.ts b/packages/utils/src/rundown-utils/rundownUtils.test.ts
index 677fccf5e..892732965 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/rundown-utils/rundownUtils.test.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/rundown-utils/rundownUtils.test.ts
@@ -1,8 +1,6 @@
 import { OntimeRundown, SupportedEvent } from 'ontime-types';
 
-import { dayInMs } from '../timeConstants.js';
 import { getNextEvent, getPreviousEvent } from './rundownUtils';
-import { calculateDuration } from './rundownUtils.js';
 
 describe('getNextEvent()', () => {
   it('returns the next event of type event', () => {
@@ -71,25 +69,3 @@ describe('getPreviousEvent()', () => {
     expect(previous).toBe(null);
   });
 });
-
-describe('calculateDuration()', () => {
-  describe('Given start and end values', () => {
-    it('is the difference between end and start', () => {
-      const duration = calculateDuration(10, 20);
-      expect(duration).toBe(10);
-    });
-  });
-
-  describe('Handles edge cases', () => {
-    it('handles events that go over midnight', () => {
-      const duration = calculateDuration(51, 50);
-      expect(duration).toBe(dayInMs - 1);
-    });
-    it('handles no difference', () => {
-      const duration1 = calculateDuration(0, 0);
-      const duration2 = calculateDuration(dayInMs, dayInMs);
-      expect(duration1).toBe(0);
-      expect(duration2).toBe(0);
-    });
-  });
-});
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/rundown-utils/rundownUtils.ts b/packages/utils/src/rundown-utils/rundownUtils.ts
index 685a8ddf9..dbf75ad25 100644
--- a/packages/utils/src/rundown-utils/rundownUtils.ts
+++ b/packages/utils/src/rundown-utils/rundownUtils.ts
@@ -1,7 +1,5 @@
 import { isOntimeEvent, OntimeEvent, OntimeRundown, OntimeRundownEntry } from 'ontime-types';
 
-import { dayInMs } from '../timeConstants.js';
-
 /**
  * Gets first event in rundown, if it exists
  * @param {OntimeRundownEntry[]} rundown
@@ -113,20 +111,6 @@ export function getPreviousEvent(rundown: OntimeRundownEntry[], currentId: strin
   return null;
 }
 
-/**
- * @description calculates event duration considering midnight
- * @param {number} timeStart
- * @param {number} timeEnd
- * @returns {number}
- */
-export const calculateDuration = (timeStart: number, timeEnd: number): number => {
-  // Durations must be positive
-  if (timeEnd < timeStart) {
-    return timeEnd + dayInMs - timeStart;
-  }
-  return timeEnd - timeStart;
-};
-
 /**
  * @description swaps two OntimeEvents in the rundown
  * @param {OntimeRundown} rundown
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/validate-events/validateEvent.test.ts b/packages/utils/src/validate-events/validateEvent.test.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..76eca2c99
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/utils/src/validate-events/validateEvent.test.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,118 @@
+import { EndAction, TimerType } from 'ontime-types';
+import { expect } from 'vitest';
+
+import { dayInMs } from '../timeConstants.js';
+import { calculateDuration, validateEndAction, validateTimerType, validateTimes } from './validateEvent.js';
+
+describe('validateEndAction()', () => {
+  it('recognises a string representation of an action', () => {
+    const endAction = validateEndAction('load-next');
+    expect(endAction).toBe(EndAction.LoadNext);
+  });
+  it('returns fallback otherwise', () => {
+    const emptyAction = validateEndAction('', EndAction.Stop);
+    const invalidAction = validateEndAction('this-does-not-exist', EndAction.PlayNext);
+    expect(emptyAction).toBe(EndAction.Stop);
+    expect(invalidAction).toBe(EndAction.PlayNext);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('validateTimerType()', () => {
+  it('recognises a string representation of an action', () => {
+    const timerType = validateTimerType('time-to-end');
+    expect(timerType).toBe(TimerType.TimeToEnd);
+  });
+  it('returns fallback otherwise', () => {
+    const emptyType = validateTimerType('', TimerType.Clock);
+    const invalidType = validateTimerType('this-does-not-exist', TimerType.CountDown);
+    expect(emptyType).toBe(TimerType.Clock);
+    expect(invalidType).toBe(TimerType.CountDown);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('validateTimes()', () => {
+  it('passes through a well defined time list', () => {
+    const { timeStart, timeEnd, duration } = validateTimes(5, 10, 5);
+    expect(timeStart).toBe(5);
+    expect(timeEnd).toBe(10);
+    expect(duration).toBe(5);
+  });
+
+  it('handles cases when no times are given', () => {
+    const { timeStart, timeEnd, duration } = validateTimes(null, undefined, null);
+    expect(timeStart).toBe(0);
+    expect(timeEnd).toBe(0);
+    expect(duration).toBe(0);
+  });
+
+  it('calculates duration', () => {
+    const { timeStart, timeEnd, duration } = validateTimes(5, 10);
+    expect(timeStart).toBe(5);
+    expect(timeEnd).toBe(10);
+    expect(duration).toBe(5);
+  });
+
+  it('calculates end time', () => {
+    const { timeStart, timeEnd, duration } = validateTimes(5, undefined, 10);
+    expect(timeStart).toBe(5);
+    expect(timeEnd).toBe(15);
+    expect(duration).toBe(10);
+  });
+
+  it('handles events that finish the day after', () => {
+    const { timeStart, timeEnd, duration } = validateTimes(100, 10);
+    expect(timeStart).toBe(100);
+    expect(timeEnd).toBe(10);
+    expect(duration).toBe(dayInMs - 90);
+  });
+
+  it('corrects time in case of conflicts', () => {
+    const { timeStart, timeEnd, duration } = validateTimes(5, 15, 15);
+    expect(timeStart).toBe(5);
+    expect(timeEnd).toBe(15);
+    expect(duration).toBe(10);
+  });
+
+  it('calculates start time', () => {
+    const { timeStart, timeEnd, duration } = validateTimes(undefined, 15, 10);
+    expect(timeStart).toBe(5);
+    expect(timeEnd).toBe(15);
+    expect(duration).toBe(10);
+  });
+
+  it('calculates start and end time', () => {
+    const { timeStart, timeEnd, duration } = validateTimes(undefined, undefined, 10);
+    expect(timeStart).toBe(0);
+    expect(timeEnd).toBe(10);
+    expect(duration).toBe(10);
+  });
+
+  it('ensures values are integers', () => {
+    const { timeStart, timeEnd, duration } = validateTimes(0.000001, 10.312335342, 10);
+    expect(timeStart).toBe(0);
+    expect(timeEnd).toBe(10);
+    expect(duration).toBe(10);
+  });
+});
+
+describe('calculateDuration()', () => {
+  describe('Given start and end values', () => {
+    it('is the difference between end and start', () => {
+      const duration = calculateDuration(10, 20);
+      expect(duration).toBe(10);
+    });
+  });
+
+  describe('Handles edge cases', () => {
+    it('handles events that go over midnight', () => {
+      const duration = calculateDuration(51, 50);
+      expect(duration).toBe(dayInMs - 1);
+    });
+    it('handles no difference', () => {
+      const duration1 = calculateDuration(0, 0);
+      const duration2 = calculateDuration(dayInMs, dayInMs);
+      expect(duration1).toBe(0);
+      expect(duration2).toBe(0);
+    });
+  });
+});
diff --git a/packages/utils/src/validate-events/validateEvent.ts b/packages/utils/src/validate-events/validateEvent.ts
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..4bae03016
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/utils/src/validate-events/validateEvent.ts
@@ -0,0 +1,85 @@
+import { EndAction, TimerType } from 'ontime-types';
+
+import { dayInMs } from '../timeConstants.js';
+
+/**
+ * Checks if given value is a valid type of EndAction, returns the fallback otherwise
+ * @param {EndAction} maybeAction
+ * @param {EndAction} [fallback]
+ */
+export function validateEndAction(maybeAction: unknown, fallback = EndAction.None) {
+  return Object.values(EndAction).includes(maybeAction as any) ? (maybeAction as EndAction) : fallback;
+}
+
+/**
+ * Checks if given value is a valid type of TimerType, returns the fallback otherwise
+ * @param {TimerType} maybeTimerType
+ * @param {TimerType} [fallback]
+ */
+export function validateTimerType(maybeTimerType: unknown, fallback = TimerType.CountDown) {
+  return Object.values(TimerType).includes(maybeTimerType as any) ? (maybeTimerType as TimerType) : fallback;
+}
+
+/**
+ * @description calculates event duration considering midnight
+ * @param {number} timeStart
+ * @param {number} timeEnd
+ * @returns {number}
+ */
+export const calculateDuration = (timeStart: number, timeEnd: number): number => {
+  // Durations must be positive
+  if (timeEnd < timeStart) {
+    return timeEnd + dayInMs - timeStart;
+  }
+  return timeEnd - timeStart;
+};
+
+/**
+ * Converts a given value to an int, returns 0 otherwise
+ * @param value
+ * number
+ */
+function convertToInteger(value: unknown): number {
+  const result = Number(value);
+  return isNaN(result) ? 0 : Math.floor(result);
+}
+
+/**
+ * Ensures the time input variables are valid in relationship to each other
+ * Infers values if necessary
+ * @param _start
+ * @param _end
+ * @param _duration
+ */
+export function validateTimes(_start?: unknown, _end?: unknown, _duration?: unknown) {
+  const timeStart = convertToInteger(_start);
+  const timeEnd = convertToInteger(_end);
+  const duration = convertToInteger(_duration);
+
+  if (_start != null && _end != null) {
+    // Case 1. if we have start and end, duration must be derived
+    return { timeStart, duration: calculateDuration(timeStart, timeEnd), timeEnd };
+  }
+
+  if (_start == null && _end == null) {
+    if (_duration == null) {
+      // Case 2. no valid times were given
+      return { timeStart, duration, timeEnd };
+    }
+    // Case 3. we have a duration and infer the rest
+    return { timeStart, duration, timeEnd: duration };
+  }
+
+  if (_start != null) {
+    // Case 5. with only start, we can calculate the rest
+    return { timeStart, duration, timeEnd: timeStart + duration };
+  }
+
+  if (_end != null) {
+    // Case 6. with only end, we can calculate the rest
+    return { timeStart: timeEnd - duration, duration, timeEnd };
+  }
+
+  // we should have covered all cases
+  return { timeStart, duration, timeEnd };
+}